Pupils make film about leaving primary school (From Swindon Advertiser)

Pupils make film about leaving primary school

6:50pm Thursday 9th July 2009

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PRIMARY pupils have made a movie showing there is no need to be afraid of moving to secondary school.

The documentary deals with Year 6 children’s fears and worries about leaving behind their primaries and moving into Year 7.

Pupils from all of the Roman Catholic primary schools have made a 26-minute documentary about going to St Joseph’s Catholic College called Moving Up Is Hard Without A Ladder.

Parents and pupils gathered at Swindon Arts Centre in Old Town to see the work on the big screen.

Karen Bathe, deputy head of St Catherine’s CP School, said: “The project was about challenging gifted and talented pupils.

“The children have gained so much from filming, editing and doing presentations.

“They also got to know pupils from other primary schools. I am very proud of their achievements.”

Children from Colebrook Primary who are moving to Kingsdown and Westrop Primary pupils on their way to Highworth Warneford also took part in making two other films.

The Year 6 children relied on the help of Year 7 and Year 10 pupils at the secondary schools to make the documentaries. The secondary schools also supplied all the equipment.

The films show children asking Year 7 pupils questions and talking about what they will miss about their old schools.

“The children did everything,” said Miss Bathe.

“I was impressed by the quality of the questions they asked the older students while making the film. It was not just about: ‘when is break-time?’ ”

The project was sponsored by Swindon Council and Miss Bathe said the schools had a free remit.

She said: “We could come up with anything, so decided to make a documentary and give children a voice.”

Katie Smith, 11, of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, said: “Making the film was such a great experience. Anyone can try and anyone would enjoy it.”

Daniel Gill, 10, of St Catherine’s, said: “This is about encouraging children to learn more about the move to a big school.”

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