The group was first started as an enterprise group by teacher Mari-Clare Bonner, and now runs as a weekly club for senior pupils.

And their talents have already been spotted by Scotland's education minister, Mike Russell.

The group was asked to launch the Scottish education awards for 2010 — after the school won 2009's prize for most enterprising primary.

Ms Bonner told The Extra: "Mr Russell visited the school and the pupils asked questions about the awards, and he talked to them about what it means for the schools.

"They were very confident in doing the interview and it was great to watch that".

Mari-Clare says the club, now in its third year, has been "a case of learning as we grow.

"Podcasting is a really good activity for children because it means they learn not just to talk but to listen as well.

"As well as helping with communication skills, they learn about technology, editing, adding sound effects and things like that".

To help them gain expertise, the group has attended workshops at the BBC, where they've made links with a business partner, producer Richard Bull.

They have also made two field trips to the Apple Store on Buchanan Street, as part of its youth programme for schools. On the visits, pupils learn to use Mac software to create their own mini podcasts.

And as well as reporting on the Scottish education awards, the roving reporters have also taken a trip to Castle Toward on the Cowal peninsula and created a podcast about their experiences there.

Mari-Clare added: "Ideally, we would be producing little and often.
"But with so much content that the children want to include, some of our podcasts have been up to 40 minutes long.

"It's just another way for them to get information about the school, and the Mearns community, out to parents. And they enjoy it so much".
To listen to the results, visit www.ea.e-renfrew.sch.uk/mearns.