Ambleside Primary School in Nottingham demonstrate how they have engaged with parents and pupils by using video to improve speaking and listening skills.
The school decided to recreate some of the children's favourite nursery rhymes as short films after they found that other approaches, such as sending home ?nursery rhymes of the week", failed to engage with parents.
The pupils have scripted, edited and performed in their own films, such as Five Currant Buns and a silent-film version of The Three Little Pigs. The videos are used in the classroom and sent home to parents on DVD.
The teachers behind the project say the results have been dramatic, with children becoming engaged, improving their speaking and listening skills, and encouraging parents to come into school to watch special screenings of the films.
In this video the staff at Ambleside share their top tips for how to start a simple project like this in other schools.
Useful websites
The website for the school
Pearson longman: Using video in class
Tips on how best to use video in class
Themes, principles and standards for learning, development and care for children from birth
Literacy and Social Inclusion is a Basic Skills Agency National Support Project delivered by the National Literacy Trust
