Press Release

15/3/2007

Technology brings learning to life

Life in Spain is coming vividly to life for pupils at Amble Links First School thanks to Creative Partnerships Northumberland.

The school has joined forces with Haltwhistle Film Project to create a film featuring superimposed images of pupils on a background of video images of life in Spain.

Creative Partnerships Northumberland is providing support for the unique project which, when completed, will be a fantastic teaching resource for pupils across the county.

The video film images were collected by Year Four teacher Gavin Johnston on a recent trip to Seville. The school is using blue screen technology to fuse his filming with the superimposed images of pupils, helping to create a realistic feel. The pupils speak Spanish and English as they point out landmarks, go shopping in a Spanish supermarket and chat about Spanish culture.

Blue screen technology is an established and well-used technique in film making and involves actors being filmed in front of a blue screen with the background edited in later. Pupils at Amble Links are using exactly the same technology with a simple blue screen to help bring their film to life.

'Children learn much better if they have fun, and are interested in what they are studying,' said Gavin.

'This film makes them feel they are actually walking around Seville, chatting to local people and learning about Spanish culture. It really does bring learning to life.

'There has been a lot in the news recently about how important it is for children to learn languages at an early age. Here, at Amble Links First School, we are in our second year of teaching Spanish to pupils aged six to nine as we believe you are never too young to start - and most importantly, they love it. They are so enthusiastic, it’s inspiring.'

A premiere of the new Spanish film will be shown to parents and teachers after Easter.

Creative Partnerships Northumberland’s Head of Programming Sarah Rutherford is excited about the new film.

'This is an innovative project, which will not just benefit the pupils at Amble, but thousands of others across the county who can also be shown the film,' she said. 'It will introduce pupils to a new country and a new language, helping boost their learning experience and understanding of different cultures.'

Creative Partnerships Northumberland aims to engage the imagination of teachers and young people in dynamic and sustainable partnerships designed to boost creative thinking and raise aspirations.

It fosters long term relationships with schools to stimulate bold new ways of working, bringing teachers, families and creative professionals together to inspire young people and make schools fun and exciting places to be.

'We aim to encourage an environment where teachers dare to ask questions that they don’t know the answers to and lead their pupils through thought processes and investigations towards answers,' said Carol Alevroyianni, CP Creative Director.

'We believe that as science and technology are changing the world at such a pace, education should aim to develop in young people ambitious, imaginative, enquiring minds along with the confidence, thinking skills and tools needed to seek out and invent answers.'

Notes for editors

Creative Partnerships Is the governments flagship creativity programme for young people, managed by Arts Council England and funded by Department of Culture Media and Sport and the Department for Education and Skills

Creative Partnerships Northumberland is fostering long term partnerships, which bring teachers, families and creative practitioners together equipped with the resources to enthral and inspire young people making schools exciting places to be. Where differences are valued and celebrated and learning is seen as a way of widening horizons and visualising ambitious futures.
Creative Partnerships Northumberland aims to demystify the creative and cultural sectors, show pathways to future employment and encourage ownership of the county’s rich cultural heritage.

Contact details

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT SORTED PR ON 0191 265 6111.