Soap opera was on the curriculum at a south Essex school when pupils became the directors, writers and stars of their own serial.

Ready to roll - students go through the script before filming Picture: DAVE HENDERSON

Year ten media studies pupils at the Gateway Community College in Grays made their own mini-feature about the danger of drugs and addiction.

Youngsters acted out parts in their self-penned script, manned the video cameras and edited the tapes when filming was finished.

The 15-year-olds turned film-makers under the direction of teacher Kieron Woodbury as part of their GNVQ course.

Published Wednesday January 21, 2004

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