In 2008 Twofour created a ground breaking set of films for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust which explored the reactions, feelings and aspirations of learners embarking on their secondary school career - at a time in which important changes were being made both to what children learn, and the way in which they learn. Rather like an educational version of World In Action’s ‘7UP’ series, 20 children were carefully chosen, of varying backgrounds and from across the country to follow through the next 7 years of their secondary education; to map their hopes and aspirations and the challenges that they face as they grow up with the New Secondary Curriculum. Through twenty individual profile videos and one 20’ combined film, we explored the very different experiences of each child as they made the transition from Primary to Secondary, and set the scene for the next 7 years. The films are being shown around the country in conferences, focus groups and training sessions and are also available to view on the SSAT website.

On the back of the success of last year’s project Twofour has been awarded year two of ‘Our Life, Our Curriculum’, and last week in Birmingham, all twenty children (and parents)met for the first time, and took part in a workshop to kick off this year’s filming. We’ll catch up with them again when we spend a day filming with each child from September – December, when they will be starting Year 8. No longer the youngest in the school, I am sure we will see some physical and emotional changes as they grapple with becoming teens, and face difficult decisions over subject choices.

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