AKS has been recognised nationally for its innovative digital storytelling after receiving the Rising Star Award at this year's Shine School Media Awards. The school's War Babies podcast series was also celebrated with Eddie's Story, created by Year 8 students Ben and Sal, receiving a Highly Commended accolade in the prestigious Peter Day Award for Best Podcast category.
The awards marked a proud moment for the school, recognising both the quality of the project and the remarkable achievements of its young creators. At just 12 and 13 years old, Ben and Sal were the youngest attendees at the event. Surrounded predominantly by sixth form and college students, they represented AKS with confidence, creativity and professionalism throughout the day.
The recognition comes during a landmark year for AKS, following the launch of PEAKS and a renewed commitment to placing digital skills, creativity and future-ready learning at the heart of the student experience. The success of the War Babies podcast series demonstrates the power of giving young people meaningful opportunities to develop professional skills while telling stories that matter.
Looking ahead, the awards provide an exciting glimpse of what the next generation of digital creators can achieve.
We extend our sincere thanks to Dr Jessop and Mr McIntyre for their vision, commitment and hard work in developing the project and bringing it to life.
AKS is also incredibly grateful to Just Good Friends and the War Babies who so generously shared their memories and experiences. Their time, trust and willingness to be interviewed made the project possible, preserving important local stories for future generations while providing students with an unforgettable learning experience.