A RENFREWSHIRE school has launched a new podcast during lockdown, with the Deputy First Minister as its first guest.

Acting as hosts, pupils Ella Ferguson and Aaron O’Hear interviewed John Swinney, who is also Scotland’s Education Secretary, for the debut episode of the Renfrew High Podcast.

They quizzed the politician on a range of topics, including the Scottish Government’s plans for handling social distancing when schools reopen and how the coronavirus pandemic has affected his own family life.

Billy Burke, headteacher at Renfrew High, said the response to the podcast has been “really positive.”

He told The Gazette: “People have been getting in touch to say how open and honest Mr Swinney was in how he reflected his own family situation, including the sad loss of his mother at the end of March and not being able to be with his dad. 

“We wanted to start this podcast partly because of the new way of working at the moment, as everybody’s at home and working remotely.

“The aim is also to promote leadership in young people. The podcast format allows pupils to interview those who are leaders in their own field.

“We are going to involve a wide group of pupils in the podcast and there’s been a lot of praise for Ella and Aaron in their confidence to volunteer to go first.”

The Gazette: John SwinneyJohn Swinney

Ella said she “really enjoyed” talking to the Deputy First Minister.

“I’m really glad we were getting answers to the questions everyone was asking,” she said.

Billy added: “The whole experience was great and I really enjoyed getting to meet Mr Swinney.”

The school is planning to release the second episode of the podcast later this month, with further episodes available at least once a month after the summer holidays.

Mr Burke said: “I hope the podcast will develop the pupils’ leadership skills, as well as their ability to communicate and reach a wider audience.

“We have so many talented and creative young people at Renfrew High and I believe this podcast will help to give them a forum to showcase their abilities and also to get the conversations that people want to hear out there.”

The first episode of the Renfrew High Podcast is available online at followourleadrhs.podbean.com.

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

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