IT was lights, camera, action as students were put in the frame for a national educational campaign.
Pupils at Marchbank Free School, Darlington, were chosen to be filmed for an on-line video to help promote some of the best free schools in the country.
The marketing campaign, on behalf of the New Schools Network, aims to give potential school founders, as well as the wider public, a more diverse look at what free schools have to offer.
Marchbank principal Mandy Southwick said: “We have a long standing relationship with the New Schools Network and have undertaken training courses with them in the past as well as speaking at one of their conferences.
“They wanted to produce a range of web-based videos to give an overview of key facts and figures about free schools in general whilst also providing a vivid portrait of the day to day life in a school.
“We were absolutely delighted to be chosen as an outstanding example of a free school and very excited to be a part of their national campaign.”
Cameramen filmed for a whole day in school including lessons, lunchtime, playtime, activities and pupil interaction, as well as an in-depth interview with Mrs Southwick.
“I think it is really important to get the message across that free schools are a great alternative and offer an effective way of meeting the needs of children, both mainstream and special,” said Mrs Southwick.
“The students took it all in their stride and just got on with the day – I was incredibly proud of all of them.”
Operations manager of the New Schools Network Sam Skerritt added: “I was truly inspired by meeting the Marchbank pupils and staff.
“They are an incredible example of a free school and of what we hope to achieve across the whole country.”