Sevenoaks students get creative to improve public spaces

Published: Tuesday, 15th December 2020

Students from Knole Academy have made a series of short films as part of a competition to improve public spaces.

Four teams made up of Year 12 pupils each shot a film to help Sevenoaks District Council with its plans to improve the public realm - spaces that are free and open to all. The competition also supported the career development of the pupils who took part.

After a tight run race, the judges, including Cllr Roddy Hogarth and the actor and former Sevenoaks resident Douglas Reith (who recently starred in Downton Abbey) declared Gabby, Lucy and Lisa the winners.

Cllr Roddy Hogarth, the Council’s Public Realm Champion, says: “Public spaces are the most important places outside the home that shape our lives. We felt it was really important that we heard the views of young people as part of our efforts to make the best use of these places.”

“The quality of the films were outstanding and I want to say a big thank you to all the pupils who took part. Their input will help us make the very best of our public spaces.”

Residents can view the winning film here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j217blxCJcg&feature=youtu.be

Notes to editors:

The competition judges were:

  • David Collins, Knole Academy’s Head Teacher
  • Sue Green, the owner and farm manager of The Montreal Estate
  • Cllr Roddy Hogarth, Sevenoaks District Council’s Public Realm Champion
  • Douglas Reith, a former Sevenoaks town residents and successful film and TV actor
  • Emma Stretton who works in further education
  • Sian Wilson, Knole Academy’s volunteer Enterprise Adviser