Last updated at 14:27, Monday, 18 June 2012

A VILLAGE community is gearing up for a special film premiere.

The 183-year history and culture of Captain Shaw’s CE Primary School, in Bootle, has been captured on video.

And the first ever screening of the 20-minute film will take place tonight .

Stars of the film – the Bootle community – will pack in to the school from 6pm for the premiere.

Production company Haltwhistle Film Project will provide the big screen, while headteacher Marilyn Marshall is organising the popcorn.

She said: “The children learned such a lot and got a lot out of the project.

“They learned how to interview, how to film, how to do animation and edit. They also learned you can film for a whole week and only end up with a short film.”

Filming began last month.

And as part of the filming process the children interviewed several ex-pupils and villagers.

Captain Shaw’s faced an uncertain future until recently.

Cumbria County Council served a notice to close the school but reversed the decision in April.

County cabinet members rejected the decision to close the school, stating the arguments against closure put forward by the community and county council officers.

Mrs Marshall said: “Had school closed it would have been a legacy to leave but it is now a record.”

The school looks set to boast 20 children on the books for the start of next term, having recently gained four more pupils, with a further two set to join shortly.

But Mrs Marshall insists the film is not promotional.

She said: “It is a heritage project.

“One of the conditions of us making the video was that it was not a promotional thing.

“The film marks the turning point, the new start for the school.”

The videos will be shown on a loop on September 8 when the school is open to the public as part of Heritage Open Days.

It will be on sale after that.

First published at 13:19, Monday, 18 June 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk