Heyday was founded in 2013 to offer project-based film courses to students struggling to sustain education. Over the ensuing 10 years, we have increased our remit to work with children in Key Stages 2 and 3 who demonstrate a lack of confidence, motivation or determination at school.
Our courses put strengthening these non-cognitive skills at the heart of our delivery.
In addition to our film courses, we also make promotional films for schools. Our broad experience in educational settings positions us perfectly to create bespoke marketing content for schools. We produce all films for the Little Wandle Letters & Sounds Phonics programme, and we take photos for school websites.
At Heyday, we deliver creative and engaging film courses to key stages 2 and 3. These courses aim to give young people who struggle with motivation and persistence an experience of project-based learning within a team.
The course is structured to build three core non-cognitive skills for each young person; motivation, self-confidence, and persistence. By encouraging our students to make their own choices, explain their reasoning for these choices, and validate their work, we develop their internal measure of excellence and their ability to trust in their own abilities.
Our students are involved in all aspects of filmmaking; from directing to acting, writing to editing. At the end of each course, friends and families are invited to a school screening of the films.
MARKETING FILMS
We make promotional films for school websites. Whether your school is looking for help with marketing, training videos or site tours, our flexible approach to filmmaking will ensure that your school's vision and values remain at the forefront of all video content.
Prices start at £500 per day. Please contact us for a more tailored quote.
"I would recommend Heyday to any educational setting looking to develop their marketing material or to help give their children a voice through the use of film."
Joe Croft, Headteacher, Ravenstone Primary School
Grant Funded Projects
"SIB initially commissioned Heyday to make our twenty-year anniversary film. We were delighted with the outcome which not only conveyed our work as a social investor and grant-maker but did so by centreing and celebrating the hard work and dedication of our investees. Jack’s ability to get under the skin of the projects we fund and his sensitivity to frontline work really set Heyday apart as filmmakers. We have subsequently commissioned a further two films and have brought Heyday into the Youth Investment Fund, our largest open grant fund, to work with youth organisations and young people to tell their stories over the next three years. I would have no hesitation in recommending Jack and Heyday for their professionalism, understanding and enthusiasm, as well as for the quality of their finished work."
Genevieve Maitland Hudson, Deputy CEO of
Social Investment Business
MEET THE TEAM
Here’s a short introduction to our incredible team of filmmakers and administrators that are dedicated to inspiring the next generation.
JACK WIDDOWS
Founder & CEO
Jack set up Heyday in 2013. He is an experienced filmmaker, and has extensive experience working with children and educational organisations. His aims have always been to improve the outcomes of young people by building confidence and motivation. He is a Director of Cornerstone Productions and he collects vintage guitars. His favourite childhood film was The Three Amigos.
DAVID
Head of Film
David is an experienced director and has been a tutor and mentor to young film makers for over ten years. His debut film GROWING won a Best Film Award at the London Short Film Festival and lead to David being invited to the Toronto International Film Festival Talent Lab and being selected for Tribeca All Access. David has made films for the 46664 Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Tribeca Film Institute, Film London, the UK Film Council New Cinema Fund, Nowness and the British Film Institute. His favourite childhood film was Jurrasic Park.
BRIONY
Lead Filmmaker & Course Coordinator
Briony studied Fine Art Photography which led her to work as a freelance filmmaker. She has an artistic approach to filmmaking, and specialised in moving image at uni. She has a lot of experience making promotional films in schools and wants to expand upon this by working more closely with young people. She thrives off the creative energy that children bring to the course! Her favourite childhood film was The Sound of Music.
ALIX
Lead Filmmaker
Alix is a passionate freelance filmmaker and stop-motion animator, for whom cinema has become her way to explore and share creativity. In 2018 she created her first film production workshop with the aim to initiate young children in the art of filmmaking. Since then she has been closely collaborating with The French Institute and Young Film Academy to run these filmmaking courses to children across London. Her favourite childhood film was The Neverending Story.
MEG
Filmmaker
Meg started making videos for fun when she was in high school, and she is thrilled that she now gets to do it as a job. She loves telling stories, being creative, collaborating with different people, and making ideas come to life. She loves to make films with children and wishes that she was given the chance to take part in the Heyday course when she was young. Her favourite childhood film was Mary Poppins.
MIA
Operations Manager
Mia is the Heyday Operations Manager. She works behind the scenes with Jack to ensure the smooth running of all administrative processes. Mia has a lot of experience working within the arts and arts education, from working on summer school screen printing workshops for year 7 students to being in Operations Management at Tate Galleries. She is excited to take Heyday forward. Her favouirte childhood film was Josie and the Pussycats