Flip the Script is our free film education programme for local primary schools in Tower Hamlets and Hackney, that focuses on improving engagement in learning through storytelling and film. Our programme encourages children to explore different perspectives in storytelling and histories, that in turn build critical thinking and literacy skills.

Through creative literacy and filmmaking techniques the programme supports teachers to develop their own creative approaches to teaching topics on the curriculum. This free programme involves Continuing Professional Development (CPD) workshops for teachers, film education screenings for schools at our Cinema and in-school workshops with professional writers and filmmakers culminating in a film premiere at Rich Mix. 

This free programme is available to primary schools in Tower Hamlets and Hackney so please get in touch with our Schools and Film Education Coordinator, Helen Baldwin if you’d like to find out more. 

We will be hosting an online information session for schools interested in participating in the project. It is a great chance to learn more, and ask any questions you might have. If you’d like us to get in contact with you about this info session, or the project, please leave your details here.  

 

THE PROGRAMME:

Autumn Term 2024 – This term will focus on us getting to know you and your school community, to build connections that allows for greater exploration, engagement and enjoyment throughout the workshops in Spring Term. It is also the first opportunity to visit Rich Mix for a film screening! 

  • A welcome session for all participating teachers to explain the programme structure, and provide an opportunity for questions. 
  • Individual onboarding meetings with each school to discuss their specific needs, curriculum topics, and access requirements.   
  • Get to know parents and caregivers through coffee mornings and PTA meetings, provide opportunity for questions, and to share the benefits and joy of using film in education settings.  
  • Introductory workshop with participating classes to establish group rules and build mutual trust and respect.   
  • CPDs for Teachers with our Associate Artists (who deliver the 1st workshop in Spring), and our partners Into Film focusing on diversifying curriculum and using personal narrative to empower pupils’ sense of self, and sharing our approach to utilising film as an accessible means of supporting learning beyond the programme, focusing on writing and filmmaking. 
  • Into Film Screenings – Each participating school will come to Rich Mix’s cinema to watch a film carefully chosen with support from Into Film for the themes of the programme. 
  • Kids in Museums Takeover Day – One group will get a behind-the-scenes experience of what it is like to run a neighbourhood arts centre and cinema. 

 

Spring Term 2025 – This term will focus on delivering workshops in school that will create your film centered around your curriculum topic of choice! 

  • Literacy and Filmmaking workshops in schools. Each participating school will receive a half-day literacy workshop and three half-day film workshops, run in partnership with Rich Mix Associate Artists across theatre, film and spoken word. The workshops will focus on scriptwriting and poetry, developing a narrative, filmmaking techniques and supporting children to create their own films deepening understanding of their curriculum topic through a decolonised perspective. 
  • Into Film Screenings – another opportunity to visit Rich Mix and experience a film on the big screen whilst developing critical analysis skills.  

 

Summer Term 2025 – A term of celebration! 

  • Flip the Script Film Festival – The pupils’ films premiere at Rich Mix! A showcase of the films, for schools, teachers, parents and special guests. 
  • Digital Take Over Day – A group of pupils will take over the Rich Mix Socials for a day, working with our Marketing team to tell the story of this year’s Flip the Script Programme. 
  • An exhibition at Rich Mix showcasing Flip The Script across the years! 
  • Every Child A Cinema Goer – our final film screenings of the programme focused on films that highlight themes of wellbeing to support students transitioning from Year 6 into Year 7.  

 

Flip the Script is funded by The Portal Trust, Tower Hamlets Arts & Music Education Service (THAMES), Derwent London and is delivered in partnership with Into Film.