Middlesex University and North London school launch 'groundbreaking' podcast

Staff, students, pupils, teachers and parents get first listen

Middlesex University and a secondary school have launched a new podcast created by teenage boys to have a voice on issues that affect them in London in 2026.

Hailed as ‘groundbreaking’ by BBC London journalist Aaron Paul, 100 guests came together at William Ellis, a boys’ school in Camden, to celebrate the From The Boys podcast made by 16 Year 10 pupils.

They heard extracts followed by a discussion with the boys with questions on what they had learned and online influence and growing up safely. Parents applauded the boys for their honesty and confidence.

The series gave the 15-year-old pupils a platform to speak openly about issues that affect them and includes episodes on success, social media influence, education, pressure, masculinity, and the impact of Covid. The pupils chose themes and learned production and editing skills on workshops and during work experience at the University’s MDX Studios with support from Arts and Creative Industries staff and students and the Outreach Team.

Schoolboy Tyrese said: “We had creative freedom, and learned how to create a podcast, recording ourselves and using equipment. We discussed many things from Covid to relationships.”

Daniel, another pupil. said: “It was a positive experience. I got an insight into other people’s views and could share my own perspective.”

The podcast features discussions among the boys, interviews with teachers and education leader Alex Blower of Boys’ Impact, music producer Jay Weathers, and Middlesex alumni Jeff Adolfo and Jely Kikamba, now a youth worker in Islington.

"I'm so proud of the boys and this work by Middlesex University and the school. It was enlightening to see these kids trying to help themselves and others. This podcast is a great resource that can be used and replicated throughout the UK."

Jely Kikamba, Middlesex University alumnus and podcast interviewee

The plan is to share it with other schools in North London and further afield to promote workshops and discussions, including involving girls in coeducational schools.

Dr Helen Bendon, Deputy Dean for Education for the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries at Middlesex University, said the University developed close ties with schools across North London, involving University students in projects that enhanced their skills and had a positive impact on communities.

She said: “We have worked with William Ellis on projects examining social media influence and misogyny. The latest project was different in giving boys their own voice to explore these issues. We would like teachers, university outreach teams, anyone working with boys to use the podcast as a resource, and as a prompt to have further conversations with boys and girls.”

William Ellis Headteacher Izzy Jones said: “We gave the boys creative freedom and it was an opportunity to create a scalable resource to be used in other contexts. Listening to boys provides a strengths-based counterpoint to the assumptions about them being a problem in society.”

Third-year BA Film students Daniela Machado and Haziqh Bin Jalaludeen supported the pupils during their work experience. Daniela said: “The boys were excited to use the equipment. I explained how to use the boom and sound recorder, and it helped my own skills.”

Haziqh interviewed the boys and videoed the project. He said: “I learned people skills and it was like working on a documentary, trying to capture the project on film.”

Emma Afia, from Kentish Town, said her son Kobi used to be shy. “It has been a wonderful experience for him. He has more confidence from talking to people and interviewing them.”

Parent Richard Paul Robinson said: “I am so impressed with what the pupils achieved. I work in video and the media industry, and this podcast and the team around it is phenomenal – it needs to be heard more widely.”

The project is predominantly funded by the William Ellis Trust, an independent charity, with support from the The Hadley Trust and The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust.

Watch an introductory film about From The Boys and listen to the podcast on Spotify. The From The Boys podcast is also available to listen to on YouTube and Apple Podcasts.