Scripts, scenery and soundtracks

What were the outcomes?

Teachers throughout the school noticed an improvement in pupils' behaviour and attitudes to learning. The project generated enormous enthusiasm and pupils became more motivated to play an active part in lessons. Seeing their work on the big screen at the film festival gave all of the pupils a great sense of achievement and pride. Working together to create such a high-quality product has increased the spirit of co-operation between pupils.

The project had a particularly powerful effect on boys. The school made an effort to provide male role models (the producer, director, musician and sound effects specialist were all men) and this increased boys' enthusiasm for the work. Learning new approaches to planning and writing stories appears to have had a positive effect on boys' writing skills, although the school is yet to measure this formally.

Although the film's storyline was extremely inventive, the pupils were keen to apply the facts they had learned about space in science lessons. Discussions with pupils since have shown that they have retained more information about the Earth, Sun and Moon than would have been expected.

Working with creative professionals inspired both pupils and staff. The pupils realised that there are exciting jobs in the arts and several now aspire to work as actors, directors or set designers. As a result, they have a new enthusiasm for arts activities both within and outside school. One year 6 pupil is actually on the committee for the youth film festival.

Staff found the work equally inspirational and gained a great deal of knowledge and skills that they plan to use in a further film-making project.

When the film was shown at the film festival on a Saturday morning, most of the pupils involved came to see it. This reflects the level of parental support for the work -- parents were proud of what their children achieved and several commented on a change in their attitude to school.

As a result of the project, the school has developed strong links with the local secondary school, university and creative industries. It hopes to build on these in the future.

What people said

• 'The project has inspired me to be more creative as a teacher and has given me the confidence to be more adventurous in the future. I never thought I'd star in a film!' (year 5 teacher)
• 'Taking part in something like this and seeing its effect on children reminds you why you wanted to be a teacher.' (year 5 teacher)
• 'We used our interactive whiteboard to write the script. Although we were doing literacy it didn't seem like it. Most of the script was really funny and we are all looking forward to watching the film.' (pupil)
• 'It was cool. My face was painted pink and black. I had to sit there for half an hour but it was good fun.' (pupil)
• 'I can't wait to see myself on screen.' (pupil)
• 'Following the conductor and the music at the same time is tough, but the end result sounded great.' (pupil)
• 'Listening to each other and thinking about your own part takes practice.' (pupil)
• 'What do you normally do? Can you actually get paid to make films?' (pupil to the film's director)