Additional support needs

Animation is very accessible.  There are styles and techniques to suit a wide range of interests and abilities, and Animation Jam helps people find the ones that suit them best.  Jim Stirk is experienced in working with children and young people who have additional support needs or who may have disengaged from school.  Here are some examples:

• Weekly animation class at Fairview School in Perth (go here for project link)

• Short animated film with DeafBlind Scotland with adults with complex needs.

• Mentoring pupils with additional support needs at James Gillespies High School, Edinburgh.

• Regular workshops with Whizz Kidz for young people who use wheelchairs.

• Covid recovery project working with music teacher Dave Trouton and various groups of young people with additional support needs around Stirling. (see project page for music related projects)

• Projects with XL clubs in North Lanarkshire schools, part of a programme to improve pupils’ self-esteem, attainment, behaviour and attendance (funded by Prince’s Trust)

•  A project on healthy eating with S2 Pupils at Woodlands School in Edinburgh (for NHS Lothian)

•  A project on migration and multiculturalism with S3-S5 pupils at Kaimes School (funded by the Big Lottery Fund's Young Start programme)

•  A project on children’s rights with young men at Polmont Young Offenders Institute (for The Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland)

 To find out more, get in touch with Jim Stirk who can help you develop a project.

Workshop films: examples

Here’s the epic film made by pupils at Fairview School in Perth. I spent an hour with pupils each week for the whole year!

The film below was made by adults supported by DeafBlind Scotland. All the film makers had some level of sensory loss, hearing or visual impairment or a combination of both.

Next up is one of several animated films made by the pupils of Kaimes School in Edinburgh. The films were based on interviews the pupils made with people who’s families had travelled to the UK from elsewhere. They were supported by class teacher and great visual artist Mary Walters, alongside Red Kite Animation.