Hackney makes history - Hackney Today

Excited pupils at two Hackney primary schools are piloting a history programme with TV and film stars and British Film Institute (BFI).

Some 40 students from Queensbridge and Grasmere primary schools are participating in the Making History project, which is designed to spark children's interest in history and digital technology by playing detective to uncover their own family story. 

The brainchild of Clapton-born 'Batman Begins' star Colin McFarlane, the scheme is being piloted in Hackney and Lincoln, with a view to rolling it out nationwide.  Students experienced the first step in this process when they were visited by Colin and 'Citizen Khan' actress Shobu Kapoor.

Shobu said: "I was bowled over by how much the children engaged with the Making History project. Stories gave rise to more stories and before we knew it, children were on their computers, reading the Encyclopedia Britannica website for information."

After uncovering something of the family's history from the First World War, the students will go along to create a short film about their experience.

They will be supported by Dr. Nick Barratt and Neil Fraser [from the BBC's "Who Do You Think You Are?" and "Heir Hunters" programmes respectively), and students from the University of East London.