By Chris Drage
Learners from across the UK had their creative talents recognised at the second National Schools Film and Animation Awards, held at the British Film Institute on London’s South Bank. Hosted by TAG Learning, the event celebrated the animation, film and new media creations of young people from across primary and secondary education.
The awards were presented by celebrity Floella Benjamin and the work shown by schools and colleges that use technology to inspire learning and creativity was outstanding.
From the many schools who entered, 31 schools were shortlisted and they were represented by more than 250 attendees at the ceremony. Judging by the anticipation and nervous energy generated by some of the youngsters (and not a few teachers and supporters as well), it was a schols' Oscars! A panel of judges chaired by Floella Benjamin had shortlisted three entrants for each of 13 categories, covering the production of film, animation and mixed media right across the age range (key stages 1-4). She commented: "This is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to broaden their creativity and encourage communication and collaboration through film and animation making. The work done so far by the local authorities with the regional awards is clear evidence of these benefits. I am particularly enamoured by how the use of film and animation making can re-engage reluctant learners and provide a platform to include children of all abilities."
Indeed, that summed it up. One of my particular favourites came from Rawmarsh City Learning Centre in Rotherham, with its no-punches-pulled Don’t Park Here – one that council highways departments should take on board. Another came from Three Ways School in Bath, with its Wide Open animation which proved that despite the enormous challenges the children with disabilities have to contend with, and given the right opportunities, they too can shine brightly.
'Using technology to inspire learning and creativity is our mission'
To highlight just two of the entries however, is not do justice to the imagination, flare and spontaneity and sheer hard work behind all of the entries. How the judges managed to pick the winner from among the finalists in each category was a huge challenge.
As TAG Learning's Peter Johnson points out: “We have been overwhelmed by the talent and enthusiasm of the young students, their teachers and the local authorities involved in making each and every film. Using technology to inspire learning and creativity is our mission and we are proud to be showcasing these achievements from across the country.”
Perhaps more telling is what some of the teachers felt about the process and the outcomes:
- Alison Seagrave, ICT curriculum development manager at Parkhill Junior School, Redbridge, London: “The great thing about using this kind of technology in the classroom is that it can encompass cross-curricular learning in a fun and engaging way. Our students used the medium of film to convey important messages about adopting healthy lifestyles and drinking plenty of water. It made them think about and research the subject, then communicate the message via their film. It was a whole-class effort and something that each and every child engaged with and enjoyed.”
- Jane Powell, headteacher, Signhills Infants' School, North East Lincolnshire: “ICT is the way forward. It’s a good way to convey messages. It boosts self esteem. Education shouldn’t all be about results. Making learning fun is a great way to encourage participation and promote better educational outcomes. Coming to the awards today is also a learning curve for the children – they’ve entered and been shortlisted and they know that they may not win their category. But we did. It’s a big achievement and one we’re all very proud of.”
- Ben Edwards, creative director at Three Ways Special School in Bath: “Animation offers a bridge for our children, regardless of individual challenges, to express creativity. Using technology is a huge motivator for them and makes such a massive difference in their educational journey.”
- Sarah Hatton, class teacher at Sitwell Infants, Rotherham (Year 1): “Creating films in the classroom gives children the opportunity to bring stories to life and learn different skills. We use film across the curriculum, it enriches our learning and makes school fun. Then our learning is reinforced when we watch our film back!"
Authoring digital media encompasses a huge range of knowledge, concepts and skills, many of which are intrinsic to the activity involved. In terms of learning it is probably more about the process than the outcome – something which a statuary test can never measure. That process is totally multi-disciplinary and cross curricular, and yes, it’s very creative and enjoyable too as this group of starry-eyed learners will testify!
Winners and finalists for the 2009 National Schools Film and Animation awards:
Key Stage 1 Animation
Winner Locking Primary School, North Somerset
Runners-up
Owlets - Rawmarsh CLC, Rotherham
Tavernspite CP. Pembrokeshire
Key Stage 1 Film
Winner Signhills Infants’, NE Lincs
Runners-up
Sitwell Infants School, Rotherham
Aldersbrook Primary School, Redbridge
Key Stage 2 Animation
Winner St Botolph's CofE Primary School, Lincs
Runners-up
Lisle Marsden CE Primary, NE Lincs
Trinity and St Michael's CE Primary, Lancs
Key Stage 2 Film
Winner Sageston CP School, Pembrokeshire
Runners-up
Ysgol Glanwydden, Conway
The Hills Lower School, Luton
Key Stage 2 Mixed Media
Winner The Hills Lower School, Luton
Runners-up
eLearning@Luton, Luton
Parkhill Junior School, Redbridge
Key Stage 3 Animation
Winner Ysgol Y Preseli, Pembrokeshire
Runners-up
Rawmarsh School and Sports College, RotherhamThe Voyager School, Peterborough
Key Stage 3 Mixed Media
Winner elearning@Luton, Luton
Key Stage 3 Film
Winner The Voyager School, Peterborough
Runners-up
Stopsley High School, Luton
Clifton Community Arts School, Rotherham
Key Stage 4 Film
Winner Rawmarsh City Learning Centre, Rotherham
Runners-up
The Voyager School, Peterborough
Wath Community Comp, Rotherham
SEMERC Inclusion Award
Winner Three Ways School, BathNES
Runners-up
Cambridge Park Maths and Computing College, NE Lincs
The Willows Special School, Rotherham
Portfield Special School, Pembrokeshire
More information
You can see the winning productions on the SchoolsTube website
Chris Drage is a CISCO Regional Academy Manager and an adviser and trainer with Central Brent Education Improvement Partnership. You can contact him at
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