I’ve just returned from a screening of two short films that have been created by Year 3 pupils at Clifton Junior School in Balsall Heath. In six short sessions we’ve learnt an incredible amount about Moseley Road Baths and produced some really fabulous work!
Last week we went to Moseley Road Baths and had a guided tour led by the Manager, Dave Flora. We were able to see parts of the building that are closed to the public, including the Boiler Room, the Gala Pool and the Slipper Baths. We then looked at the Virtual Tour website to look at photos and film of the first floor area which we weren’t able to look at when we visited.
The group then went on to learn how to use camera equipment, and soon formed themselves into camera crews, with a camera operator, sound recordist and interviewer. We practiced interviewing each other and everyone had chance to take on each of the different roles.
We came up with lots of questions for our interviewees. Here is a sheet with some of the questions.
Mrs Brown is a Deputy Head at the school, but we learnt that when she was younger she almost became a professional swimmer! She had brought in some certificates for us to look at. She also told a story about someone who used to teach at the pool who fell into the water with all his clothes on!
Members of the Friends of Moseley Road Baths also invited Jenny Hall to come into school. We had met her at another event that we had organised and thought that it would be great for pupils to speak with her about her memories. She told us lots of stories about swimming lessons and Swimming Galas in the 1950s. She even told us that you could buy a hot drink in the tea room for 1p!
We finished off the project by showing the film to other Year 3 pupils who had some really good questions for us. The pupils will soon get their own copy of the DVD and a certificate for all of their hard work! Have a lovely half-term holiday, you’ve deserved it!
