Boys will be Boys... won't they?
A group of twelve boys aged 11 to 14 from Change School Flegg High School in Martham worked with a group of teachers, a design consultant and a community film-maker to research for themselves why boys do less well at GCSE exams than girls at their school. The team worked collaboratively on the project over the year, conducting interviews and research; holding an ‘Apprentice’ style challenge for mixed and single-gender groups; and, turning their findings into a documentary film – "Are Boys Smarter than Girls?"
The film had its premiere in July when it was shown to pupils, parents and other members of the local community. The project engaged the whole school and the wider community in a conversation about learning - not just boys’ achievements at school - with coverage appearing in the Eastern Daily Press and on BBC Radio Norfolk.
The work at the school has since been identified by OFSTED as an exemplary model of good practice in equality and diversity.
“Taking the school community as a whole, the 'Boys Will be Boys' project seemed small,” says Ruth Bullard, Creative Partnerships co-ordinator at Flegg High School. “However, its impact on teaching and learning has been profound and continues to resonate.”