Students celebrate inspirational figures

Now, the Abbey has worked with nine London primary school classes on a project celebrating the legacies of those who have made a positive difference in our national life.

Each class was set the challenge of making a short film exploring the lives of inspirational figures remembered in the Abbey and how their influence lives on. The films focus on

• campaigners Dame Millicent Fawcett and Olaudah Equiano
• writers George Eliot and CS Lewis
• scientist Stephen Hawking 
• engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel
• medical pioneers Joseph Lister and Howard Florey.

Making a Difference

The films were made as part of a project titled Making a Difference and run in collaboration with the London Connected Learning Centre, which helps schools use digital technologies creatively across the curriculum. As well as researching the life of their chosen subject, students also wrote their own scripts for the videos, designed the props, and managed the filming and editing process.

Students were also asked to consider who makes a difference in their lives today - whether famous or less well-known - and to design a future memorial to them. Among the figures selected were conservationist Sir David Attenborough, writer and former Children's Laureate Malorie Blackman, NHS fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore, and climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, as well as inspirational teachers and members of pupils' families.

The project is part of the Abbey’s growing support for schools and families. Also on offer are:

• a year-round programme of school visits and community projects
• family days and holiday activities
• digital resources including virtual tours and a catalogue of free-to-download teaching resources.

Watch the videos and find out more about the Making a Difference project.