A national initiative to encourage the use of radio in education is being launched in Bristol on Monday.

Radio in Schools enables pupils to showcase their work by making and sharing podcasts.

The project is a world first because it allows users to create audio online without the need to download or install software or have any specialist technical knowledge or equipment.

Managing director Melissa Thom has developed Radio in Schools with Bristol-based digital design agency Nomos Media.

It is supported by Global Radio, the parent company of GWR FM, and has the backing of Bristol City Council.

Melissa has piloted the programme with six schools in Bristol – Two Mile Hill Infant in Kingswood, St John's in Clifton, Burnbush Primary in Stockwood, Henbury Secondary, Bristol Metropolitan College and Cotham School – and found children and staff hugely enthusiastic.

"We are very excited about it," she said.

"The Virtual Studio is very easy to use and we've developed it to make the whole process of making podcasts really simple and non-technical.

"Strong links with GWR FM and the professional radio industry motivate pupils to produce work that has a real chance of ending up on their local radio station.

"By providing real and engaging learning opportunities, Radio in Schools empowers schools, teachers, parents and our next generation of listeners to produce content they are really proud of."

Schools can try out the package free for a month and as part of the launch they will have the opportunity to win a professional podcasting workshop from Bristol's Bush & Troy breakfast show, with the best bits broadcast on GWR.

The not-for-profit initiative aims to offer schools, teachers and pupils a safe platform to showcase their work to parents and the local community.

Tanya Wright, head of ICT and business, at Henbury School, said: "This process allows students the opportunity to develop their speaking and listening skills across the curriculum.

"By uploading the student's work to our own Radio in Schools homepage and linking podcasts to our school website, we can celebrate their achievement. It's a fantastic project."

Radio in Schools can be used by infant, primary and secondary schools as well as colleges, universities and organisations that work with children and young people.

The project provides educational and radio resources, workshops and training days, as well as tips from professionals.

Two Mile Hill School's head teacher Jill Marsh said: "Radio in Schools is a really useful tool because it gives the children a real reason to go back to a piece of writing and keep editing and improving it.

"The website and the Virtual Studio are simplicity itself, and the children really do feel like they are working in radio."

Heather Morris, literacy coordinator at Burnbush Primary, said: "The children love the equipment and are very respectful of it.

"It has encouraged boys particularly to speak in front of the class and children have grown in confidence from using it. It's been noticed that boys especially like the technology and enjoy the fact that outcomes are not linked to neat written presentations".

For more details, go to www.radioinschools.co.uk or call Melissa Thom on 0117 900 5388.