MORE than 1,000 children have packed into Malvern Theatres this week to experience the educational power of film.

1,158 youngsters from 12 schools took part in Film Education’s National Schools Film Week from Tuesday, October 18 until today (Friday, October 21) and enjoyed free screenings of Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Submarine, Gnomeo and Juliet, and Mars Need Mums.

The festival aims to support classroom-based teaching by providing schools with an experience for their students that links directly to elements of the curriculum.

Sophie McLellan, education manager at Malvern Theatres, who introduced each screening, said: “It was good to see how the films related to the curriculum for both the pupils and teachers alike. Film Week contributes to making young people more aware of films and increasing teachers’ awareness of films as a learning tool.

“Also, it is very informative for young people who may want to be part of the film industry in the future.”

Gay Boswell, of the Grove Primary School, said: “Film week offers us the chance to attend a local facility and experience an activity as a whole school. Film is a source of inspiration for the lesson and other activities at school.”