Buddies

The inspiration for this work has been the schools’ existing Buddies Scheme which pairs children due to start in Reception in the next school year, with children due to move into Year 6. The Buddies Scheme as a whole is aimed at providing a support mechanism for children starting school, to alleviate fears and solve problems that they might have during their first year at school. The existing Buddies Scheme, is positive and beneficial to the school and its pupils, but has potential to become more active and have greater positive impact, by placing children at its centre and allowing them to gain new experiences and understanding through the scheme.

The work is designed to add new vigour to the Buddies Scheme and to develop pupils’ ability to empathise and engage with the subject matter and requirements of the finished product, and place the work within the larger context of a Buddies Scheme; how it works and why it is important. It is envisaged that the work will be a starting point in the growth of the Buddies Scheme, allowing pupils to take ownership of the active support of children new to the school. Pupils have experienced an engagement with the purpose of the DVD and to develop an understanding of the needs of their young 'buddies'.

Working with an experienced film maker to create the DVD has enabled a new way of working that gives pupils a real voice in a scheme at the school to which they are central. Pupils have had access to the real equipment and processes used in the making of a DVD. The work has been a practical learning experience, allowing them to contribute towards the creation of a valid and useable product.

The work started with a pupil consultation session, generally discussing the Buddies Scheme, their thoughts, feelings, memories and experiences in connection with this and starting school for the first time. The pupils also discussed the purpose of the Buddies Scheme, what they thought the role of older ‘buddies’ was and how they should fulfil it.

A series of sessions were then planned with the Year 5 pupils, to record the visual and audio material needed for the finished DVD. Regular sessions were held to plan and review the process with the pupils.

The DVD has now been completed and sent out to pupils due to start school in September, and positive feedback has already been returned. Work to share this feedback with the pupils and evaluate the process and finished work is about to begin.