The new curricular documents allow young people to study Film and Screen as a practical subject, giving them the chance to understand “all aspects of the process of making Film and Screen products.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government advised that the project is being supported by “£600,000 funding from Screen Scotland”. No specific funding has been provided by the government itself.
Commenting on the success of their work, Fi Milligan-Rennie, Head of Education at Screen Scotland, said that the organisation wants to create “democracy of opportunity for every child and young person to learn about the film and screen industries in Scotland, to understand how it works and most importantly to recognise that they can be part of it.”
“Filmmaking, making television programmes or content online requires the ability to tell stories well, to persuade colleagues to work with you, to gather resources and plan ahead. It builds confidence and we have seen across the development period the tremendous positive impacts it has already had for pupils across Scotland.
“It is thanks to the enthusiasm, commitment and willingness to creatively experiment from schools across the country that we can now celebrate Film and Screen as a subject in its own right.”
A suite of materials covering pupils aged 3-18 has been produced, outlining the knowledge and skills expected of students at each curricular stage.
Two formal qualifications have also been successfully trialled. SQA Awards in Film and Screen are available at levels five and six, the latter of which is the same level as Highers.
The curriculum is endorsed by some of Scotland’s key acting, filmmaking and presenting talent, including Lucy Halliday, Mark Bonnar, Edith Bowman, Chloe Pirrie, Martin Compston, Dougray Scott, Sanjeev Kohli, Mark Cousins and Lauren Lyle.
James MacAvoy said: “Teaching film and screen in schools is the most equitable way to engage in an art form, while demystifying something that can seem distant or inaccessible. It’s not just about the next generations of Scottish filmmakers, it’s about understanding the creative right to be seen and heard and making the space and time for that to happen, for every child in Scotland.”
Julie Wilson-Nimmo added: “I’m so happy that the film and Screen curriculum is going on the school curriculum, when I was a young girl growing up in East Kilbride and I went to see my favourite film of all time Gregory’s Girl, I never thought I could be a part of that world, as an actor or behind the camera. The fact nursery, primary and secondary kids will be able to tap into this on their school curriculum is amazing. I’m 100% behind it.”
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Neil Millar from national body Education Scotland said: “Over the last three years I have been proud to work with, and support, the inspiring work that has been undertaken in creating and facilitating the draft Film and Screen Curriculum across Scotland. From the outset, the educational and social impact of the pilot Film and Screen curriculum on schools, teachers and most importantly pupils, has been immense. The proof of this is in the curriculum work developed and showcased by the children and young people themselves.”
Laura Heggie, a teacher at Graeme High School in Falkirk, said that she has been impressed by the way in which the new curriculum “gives pupils ownership over their own learning.”
“They’re so engaged and want to get it right that they are working and challenging each other within their film crews. I can hear them critiquing each other’s work and offering suggestions to improve as I walk round the room. This is unprompted by me. The development in their confidence and ability to contribute has really grown as they have moved to working within the production groups.”
Kian McLear, an S5 pupil at Drummond Community High School in Edinburgh, said: “Film and Screen has allowed me to express creativity with my fellow classmates, as well as giving me an in interest in the film industry as a whole. There’s a very good balance between practical work and analysis, and there’s never any lessons or practical tasks that drag on.”
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “The arts are vital to the success of Scotland’s young people, inspiring them to develop a wide range of skills – film and screen learning is very much part of this story.
“The initial Film and Screen pilots demonstrated the innovation that lies at the heart of Scotland’s curriculum. This further roll out of support and advice to teachers across Scotland will help to support the continued growth of film and screen learning in our classrooms.”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “I’m delighted to welcome this world-first curriculum, which brings the magic of film and screen to the classroom for learners of all ages. In addition to encouraging untapped creativity, it will be instrumental in the career development of the next generation of Scottish film and screen talent
“The Scottish Government is clear that a skilled, diverse workforce is essential to the continued success of our screen sector, which is set to be worth £1 billion to Scotland’s economy by 2030. Working with Screen Scotland, we are investing in Scottish skills and talent to ensure Scottish voices are represented throughout the production journey, and that this growth leaves a legacy of an ever-stronger crew base across Scotland.”