Students get Airtime with Award Winning Writer Sally

Comedian and writer Sally Cancello joined eleven enthusiastic Year 12 students from our Sixth Form as part of the ‘Young Professionals’ Challenge’ to create content ahead of the launch of a brand new national radio station, the Women’s Radio Station, in January 2018.  

Cathy Walker, Director of Sixth Form at Sheffield Girls’, said: ‘This was one of our ‘Young Professionals’ Challenges’, where our girls spend a day working in a professional field, and gaining an insight, as well as specific and transferable skills. This one was different in that I also learnt something new; how to edit! We had a fantastic day writing and creating content for the new Women’s Radio Station.’

Sheffield Girls’ alumna Sally is working with Howard Jameson, who owns the Jermyn Street Theatre in London, on the new initiative of the Women’s Radio Station and the duo approached Sheffield Girls’ to see if their students could create some material.  

Sally was very impressed by their contributions. ‘The girls were incredibly creative, dynamic and diverse in what they produced; we had performance poetry, music, debate and conversation. The topics they chose ranged from current political issues and gender equality, to body image and the role of women in sport.’ she said. ‘I’ve been absolutely blown away by the standard and variety of the girls’ work! Moving and very inspiring!’

The girls learned techniques in conversation, poetry and spoken word that they had not tried out previously, and were coached in their production and delivery by writer, actor and director, Sally, who is an award winning comedian and writer and winner of a Funny Women Best Short Film Award. She has also worked with the director of Bend it Like Beckham, Gurinder Chadha.

Year 12 poet Mubanga Kauseni said: ‘The day helped me to tap into a different style of poetry as I’ve never written spoken word before.  It has given me more confidence with my writing as well as my speaking.’