THE Portfield School community is celebrating the completion of a two-year creative arts project to encourage internet safety among students.

Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils have put the finishing touches to four videos which highlight the dangers of cyber bullying and social media.

It is now hoped that the informative videos will be shared with other school across the county.

Pip Philipps, co-ordinator of the project and teacher at Portfield School, has been blown away by the progress made by students.

“It’s been brilliant,” she said. “We have seen a rise in confidence and speaking in front of others as well as ICT skills and drama. They have absolutely loved it.”

Pupils were initially given a talk from the police about internet safety and were then asked to make films to teach their peers.

From start to finish, students directed the movies, from brainstorming ideas, writing scripts, acting in front of a green screen, filming and putting the final recordings together with sound effects.

Key Stage 4 pupil Charlotte Sandford provided a voiceover for one of the videos. “We really enjoyed working together,” she said. “It felt good to work as a team.”

The project has been carried out with the support of the Arts Council of Wales’ to compliment the school’s programme of work.

Rosie Hazell from the Arts Council of Wales said it was an “absolute privilege” to work with Portfield School pupils and teachers.

“The whole challenge has been to address communication and digital competency in the most creative, fun and engaging way for learners,” she said.

“[Students] achieved palpable success in progressing their learner skills, overcoming challenges and raising confidence and self-esteem.”

With the project coming to an end, the school plans to organise a launch evening in March for parents, pupils and other schools in the area to view the movies.