A group of junior movie moguls are making a splash in the film world with a comic look at what is really going on in the minds of pupils who are not paying attention to their lesson.

'A Nice Quiet Class' is the film made by pupils in the film club at Swain House Middle School under the direction of Martin Naylor who doubles as not only the leader of the group, but the school caretaker.

The film has been submitted to the national Co-op Young Film Makers Festival and judges were so impressed they have included it in an exhibition at the National Film Theatre in London.

And it is a double celebration as it is the second time the school's film club has got through to the festival.

The group of young actors and producers recently went on a trip to London to see their masterpiece in pride of place.

The film lets adults into the secret workings of a young mind.

The scene is, as the name suggests, an orderly, apparently studious classroom with teacher, Kerry English, taking up her real-life role on film.

Mrs English is commenting to the class how silently studious they appear to be, but the soundtrack of the film reveals their true thoughts.

"One of the children is thinking about her boyfriend, another is thinking about a TV programme and so on," said Mr Naylor. "The lesson has become dull and they are not paying attention any more, so their minds are wandering and we can hear what they are thinking."

Mr Naylor was delighted that 'A Nice Quiet Class' was one of the 100 films selected out of more than 300 entries.

Last year, the school's thoughtful entry 'If Only' also won through to the exhibition stage.

Pupils who took part in the video were delighted.

Gemma Richards, 13, said: "While I was playing my part, I felt excited and happy with the film until I watched it on the big screen, I looked terrible on it and got quite embarrassed, but that went away with the loud cheering at the film festival.

"I think I know now how famous film stars feel when they watch their first film and see themselves on the big screen."

Samantha Jemeljanow, 12, said: " It was a good experience to have taken part in the film. I was really proud of myself and the rest of the people in the video."

Samantha Edgley, 12, added: "The film we made was funny and enjoyable. I would definitely make another because I really enjoyed it."

l The knotty question of whether Blondes have More Fun or if A Man's Place is in The Kitchen are the subjects of heated discussions at Bradford Girls Grammar School.

The lively topics are on the girl's Inter-House Debating Competition agenda along with the festive proposition Christmas Should Be Banned.

Teams of girls battle it out in the debating chamber to score points and win the competition, which is due to be finalised before Chistmas.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.