YOUNG film-makers from Dorchester are in line for a national award that could win their school £5,000 worth of video equipment.

A two-minute film by Lauren Crane, Beatha Dalgleish and Annabel Stevens from The Prince of Wales First School has been selected as one of three finalists for the ‘Film My School’ competition at the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

The competition is open to all primary and secondary schools in the country and has a first prize of £5,000 worth of video equipment for the winning school.

The trio submitted their entry with the help of the school’s ICT co-ordinator Gary Spracklen and Richard Scott from the Thomas Hardye School.

Their film aims to capture the magic of learning at their school with footage reflecting the Prince of Wales School’s Food for Life flagship status, inclusive ethos and strong links between home and school.

Mr Spracklen said: “The pupils have always shown a strong interest in film making having all attended our weekly Movie Maker club on a Thursday lunchtime for the past two years.

“It is fantastic that all their hard work has been acknowledged.”

Throughout the making of the film the year four pupils were very keen to involve all their friends at the school using its virtual learning environment, Merlin.

Lauren said: “We tried to involve all our friends by using Merlin to discuss the video and vote on our favourite, theme and audio track.”

The budding Spielbergs relished the chance to try their hand at film making and were indebted to children and staff from the school who helped out by dressing up.

Beatha said: “The film was so much fun to make and everyone enjoyed dressing up and pretending they were characters from Harry Potter.”

Annabel added: “We think the teachers enjoyed dressing up too and it was really funny to see them in their costumes.”

The three pupils along with Mr Spracklen, Mr Scott and other members of The Prince of Wales First School will now travel to London on Sunday, October 30 to attend the Pearson National Teaching Awards UK ceremony at the Palace Theatre.

It is not the first time representatives from the Maiden Castle Road School have attended the ceremony, as they made a previous visit in 2008 when headteacher Peter Farrington was a finalist for the headteacher of the year award.

The event will later be broadcast on BBC 2.