Three Greater Manchester schools have picked up prizes after producing radio and TV commercials to help tackle antisocial behaviour and fare-dodging on Metrolink.
Schoolchildren from across Greater Manchester saw their commercials on the big screen at HOME, where winners were chosen in ‘Social Media Challenge’, ‘Best Radio’ and ‘Best Video’ categories.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) invited schools to produce the commercials as part of an engagement programme (aimed at years five to nine pupils aged between nine and 14 years old) focusing on the impact of fare evasion and vandalism, crime and antisocial behaviour on Metrolink.
Year 7 pupils at Derby High School in Bury scooped the Social Media Challenge after their promotion of the school’s dramatic video commercial – which urges young people to “Think before you act” – had nearly 800 views on YouTube.
Sale High School’s winning 60 second ‘Best Radio’ commercial about tackling antisocial behaviour, made by Year 8 pupils, will now be produced professionally and used by TfGM in a marketing campaign.
Manchester Secondary PRU picked up ‘Best Video’ prize for their Year 7 pupils’ commercial highlighting the consequences of bad behaviour, which will now be used as a trailer for a selected family film screening on Sunday July at HOME’s Big Family Day.
Winning pupils have all received a day’s free Metrolink travel to HOME, with free cinema tickets for a film screening of family classic The Iron Giant and restaurant vouchers for a meal at HOME after the film.
Stephen Rhodes, TfGM’s Customer Operations Director, handed out prizes at the awards ceremony in cinema 2 at HOME. He said: “Congratulations to everyone who took part in this competition. It’s clear a lot of thought has gone into the commercials, which looked and sounded great.
“The competition has helped drive a serious message home in a fun way, making school children across Greater Manchester aware at a young age of the serious repercussions of foolish behaviour for themselves and other people.
“Education is just part of a range of measures to tackle antisocial behaviour on the Metrolink network, but a crucially important one. We’re leaving young people in no doubt that bad behaviour on public transport will not be tolerated.”
Mrs Henrys, Co-ordinator of Creative Digital Media at The Derby High School, said: “This project has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to work on an issue that is hugely relevant.
“The whole school has supported the boys, watching and viewing their work and spreading this important message to the local community. Digital media is a huge part of young people’s lives and it has been good to use it for a good cause.”
