Ings Primary School – Hull.

Getting to grips with the equipment

The ‘Enquiry Question’ for the school to explore was:

‘What cultural and co-operative experiences can we give to our Key Stage 1 children to ignite their imaginations and inspire original, confident writing?’

The original question was  based around the development and enjoyment of writing for KS1 pupils, and the development of pupils’ awareness of the world and other cultures.

Literacy was identified as a key priority, as was developing the children’s awareness of the world and its cultures.

The links with the school improvement plan are as follows:

• thinking about their own identity and comparing with others is a way to engage the child’s imagination and empathy.
• the engagement of pupils in the creative aspects of the project will enable them to express themselves more confidently through their writing.
• the children will become more confident as a result of the wider life an cultural experiences that they will encounter and learn about throughout the project
• pupils will become more confident as individuals – their contributions to the creative process will be valued and their motivation to work together to explore other cultures will increase
• the experience of enjoying the project and work done for the project, and the inspiration of discovering more about their own world and of other lives and cultures will generate the motivation to complete the project to a high standard
• the connection with a school in Sierra Leone will give the pupils exposure to lives other than their own, and will provide a stimulus to further explore wider cultural influences
• the use of digital media and ICT in different areas of the curriculum will develop the topic-based work that is to be implemented within the school in the future

In the ICT suite.

The project aimed to develop the school’s international dimension by strengthening links with St Philips Primary School (Sierra Leone). The children will create multimedia work through exploration about what the children at St. Philips would like to know about their life. 

They will need to start by researching about what they, themselves, would like to know about the St Philips children to begin this mature thought-process.  The children will work co-operatively but also independently through developing their camera skills, reviewing what they have done, using their skills out and about, then creating a book and a stills film from this exploration.






Jon worked with 2 classes of Y1/2 pupils including 2 teachers. Timescale for activity work: 7 weeks.

End of project exhibition with film showing, and written work and photographs on display. The book produced by the children, and the photo booklets will be on sale. Also Fairtrade products will be available to buy – strengthening the links between the local Co-op.

Hull Kingston Rovers stadium tour

Staff development in the use of media programmes and photographic equipment has increased considerably, and will be used in future theme based projects to give another element to teaching practices employed in the school.

The school CP co-ordinator and the other class teacher were both involved in the planning process. The children were asked about places that meant a lot to them, and they also had discussions about where they would take a visitor from Sierra Leone if they came to Hull.
The project has helped to develop the value of a more creative approach to teaching and learning, and the inclusion of creative skills in the theme-based approach to the curriculum.

The focus of the project on improving literacy was important, although the project developed and encompassed other skills which led to the improvement of writing skills – confidence building, speaking and listening, team working, learning about other cultures etc.

The development of these skills inspired the written work, and the experiences of the children while they have explored different aspects of their own and other cultures has increased vocabulary and the social skills needed to help the children to express their view and opinions.

Photography trip to the Humber Bridge

The project has inspired the whole school, and has given morale a boost during a time of uncertainty. Staff are already using the skills they have gained from the CPD sessions.

The end of project exhibition helped to forge new relationships with parents, and there is increased enthusiasm within the school to further develop the links made with Sierra Leone.

The project made the following contributions to Every Child matters:

• Every child had a say and was fully involved in the project and its content
• All children were involved in the trips organised as part of the project
• All children developed skills in the use of photographic equipment and ICT
• All children were given responsibilities, and were allowed to work independently as well as in teams
• The project contributed to the development of essential life skills

Hull Landmarks photography trip

The project idea has had a great impact on both the children and the staff. It was recognised that the lack of knowledge and cultural understanding of the children meant that their imaginations weren’t stimulated, and that, in turn, affected their confidence – in their own abilities, and in their view of themselves and their value to others.

The project has increased the knowledge that the children have in their own City and environment, as well as increasing their knowledge in the lives of others. This has stimulated the interest of all the children, but has especially had an impact on the interest and enthusiasm of the boys in the two classes – to write about their experiences and to be involved in collaborative work.

Staff commented on the excellent skills of Jon – he was flexible in his approach to the project, and was extremely approachable (important to both staff and children). His use of technical language was easily understandable – staff and children were able to use photographic equipment and new media programmes with ease. He was brilliant with the children – showing both humour and patience throughout the project.

Every Child Matters

The project ran smoothly and had a huge impact within the whole school. The children were involved in all aspects of the programme, and their involvement as co-constructors of learning gave them a very positive approach to work done throughout the project’s duration.

During July 2008, Jon Robson of Cafesociety.org undertook a speaking and listening project at Sidmouth Primary School – Hull.

The project entitled ‘Fantasy Worlds’ was funded by Creative Partnerships – Hull and tried to answer the enquiry question – “Can new technology be used to improve speaking & listening skills in a year 1 class where over 50% of the pupils have English as a second language ?”

We decided to use digital story telling and film making as a vehicle to improve speaking, listening and written work. We themed the project around 4 areas. – Under the Sea, Castles, Space & Pirates.

The pupils developed their stories orally and created story boards to visualise the scenes, after the stories had been craeted, time was spent developing the characters before designing puppets and background scenery for filming.

Here are the finished films :-

They showed persistence and engagement with the making of the puppets and scenes.

The children very much enjoyed the artwork process… Getting messy and covered in paint is a real thrill..

They also showed imagination when creating their stories and designing their puppets.
The children gained experience in working in teams.

They had to plan and discuss their ideas for their own particular themed story.
Pupils had to work together and be able to listen to each others ideas.

Pirate Day :: We all planned to take over the school and hunt for the treasure. Luckily for us 3 ks4 pupils from endeavour were on work experience at the school and proved themselves invaluable.

The children came prepared with home made costumes to act out their story and take control of the school.

We planned our attack and filmed it as it unfolded.
Some teachers looked on with true fear !

Improvisation was a key element in our unfolding story. We were unsure how the head teacher would react to her school been taken over…. Luckily she obliged and the school became ours !

Because the project encouraged speaking and listening,
The EAL children benefited from this in that they were motivated to communicate their thoughts and ideas.

Fact :: Kids love technology !
being trusted to use high tech equipment was a confidence boost for the year 1’s

They engaged in the whole process of filmmaking from start to finish. It was clear that they had felt that the films were ‘theirs’ and they were proud of them.

The children were enthralled by the whole experience.

They are still talking about their films even now. The project has made a lasting, positive impression upon them.

Here is a small selection of our work with young people in our home-town of Kingston Upon Hull – UK. We love our city and these films will hopefully give you a glimpse from a young persons perspective of what they think to Kingston Upon Hull.

These films were produced by young people taking part in digital media workshops with Cafesociety and supported by or working in collaboration with :- The BBC, Creative Partnerships – Hull, British Library, Department for Culture, Media & Sport, Hull City Council and many Hull Schools. We hope you enjoy…

Sierra Leone’s reggae diva Khady Black performs Mr. Government. Filmed on location in Kingston Upon Hull – UK.

Ever wondered what it is like being a teenager living in Hull today? In a new exhibition, pupils from Endeavour High School invite you to experience life from their perspective. “What’s Your Story?” uses films, photographs and personal objects to create an insight into the lives of a diverse group of young people.

The exhibition is part of the “Campaign! Make an Impact” project, an innovative project in which students are inspired by museum collections to create their own campaign about issues which affect their own lives. This project has been led by Hull Museum Education who have also been working in partnership with Cafesociety.org, the British Library and the Thackray Medical Museum.

Hull Museum Education teamed up with creative media practitioners Jon Robson and Matt Stephenson of Cafésociety.org to work with the students on their contemporary campaign inspired by museum collections.

Jane Avison, Senior Education Officer at Hull Museum Education said: “The young people have created the exhibition as part of their campaign against racism and intolerance. First they made short films about their own lives and then came to the museum to investigate the slavery collections and issues around racism. They developed a greater understanding of each other and wanted to run a campaign to promote tolerance between different cultures.”

The aim of the campaign is to break down barriers between communities, dispel some myths and promote understanding of different cultures. Jane continued: “The young people have been very courageous in putting themselves forward as the face of the campaign, giving us an insight into their lives. They would like the viewer to stop and think before making judgements, to consider the person and their story, not just nationality.”

The exhibition will be officially opened by Sir Keith Ajegbo, the Government Advisor for Citizenship. There will also be the opportunity to show case campaigns from the other partners involved in the “Campaign! Make an Impact” project.

The exhibition will be held in the Live Arts Space at the Ferens Art Gallery from Saturday 8th March to Sunday 27th April. It will then be displayed at the Artlink Centre for Community Arts from Thursday 8th May to Monday 2nd June.

The Mayor of Freetown, Winstanley R. Bankole Johnson payed a short visit to Hull on the 29th August 2007. After a civic lunch with the Lord Mayor of Kingston Upon Hull, Cllr Brenda Petch he had a meeting with Jon Robson and Richard Skog of the Freetown Society, during which he signed the petition supporting the Fight For Freedom Campaign.

Mayor Johnson then launched the opening of Greetings! Wilberforce Women, a photographic project between women in Freetown and women in Hull, a Wilberforce 2007 project.

Please click here to listen to the BBC Radio Humberside interview

08:00 – 18 July 2007 – Hull Dail Mail

A Young rapper from Sierra Leone has been inspiring children across Hull to exchange stories about their lives through music.

Nineteen-year-old Lansana Mansaray, known as Barmmy Boy, is in Hull as part of a project to connect schools here and in Hull’s twin townFreetown, the capital of the west African country.

Over two months, he will work with children from St Mary’s College in west Hull, Winifred Holtby in Bransholme and Wilberforce College in east Hull.

He said: “It’s my first time out of Freetown and it’s really different.

“Everything is more organised, and the schools are all provided by the Government.

“It’s strange, but I am enjoying it.”

Among the issues Barmmy Boy raps about are growing up in Freetown, HIV/Aids and the aftermath of the civil war that ravaged the country for a decade.

He was brought to the UK by Hull-based organisation Cafe Society and funded by the British Council and Government arts programme Creative Partnerships.

Cafe Society organiser Jon Robson said: “We met Barmmy Boy when we went to Sierra Leone.

“He had so much energy and creativity, we thought he’d be fantastic with children here and they could really learn from each other. We got him some funding to buy him a laptop so he could start producing music and videos in Freetown and he could learn the skills to pass on to other youngsters there.”

Yesterday, Barmmy Boy took part in a performance at St Mary’s College, Cranbrook Avenue, with teenagers participating in a special week to coincide with Hull’s Wilberforce year.

This year is the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, which followed a campaign against slavery led by Hull MP William Wilberforce.

Barmmy Boy said: “It’s been great working with people here.

“They have made up their own lyrics about the issues that affect them, and we’ve been editing videos to accompany them.

“I want to take the skills I’ve learned here back to Sierra Leone.

“Many teenagers in Freetown are disillusioned. They move out of Sierra Leone and never bring the skills they have learned back to their country. I believe there is a lot more to do in Freetown. It doesn’t help the country when the youth leave and never come back.”

Barbara Veloso, 13, of Massey Close, west Hull, who has been working with Barmmy Boy, described the experience as “amazing”.

She said: “I’ve never rapped before, but I have been this week.

“Some of the stories Barmmy Boy told us about through his music are surprising.

“I had no idea many of the soldiers in Sierra Leone during the war were children.”

Andy Rendell, 14, of Malpas Close, in north Hull, said: “I was really shy about singing and it’s been great doing it as a group.

“All of us who took part have discovered hidden talents.”

This last weekend 11th & 12th June saw a collection of very talented artists come together at the Kingston Youth Centre on Beverley Road . Hull.

The Graf / Hip Hop festival saw some outstanding murals designed and sprayed to the exterior walls of the youth centre, while dj’s such as Redlox and Fast T supplied the beats and backgrounds to a truly street weekend.