The short answer
Book your filmmaker early, and share the running order in advance. Use more than one camera, so the film captures the stage and the faces. Then share the approved film through a private link.
Why it matters to families
A leavers' assembly marks the end of an important chapter. For many families, it is the last event at a school they have known for years.
Parents want to watch their child, not their phone screen. A professional film lets them do both, because the moment is kept for them.
It also includes families who cannot attend. Grandparents and relatives can watch it later, as many times as they like, wherever they live.
For pupils, it is a record of friendships and teachers they will remember for years.
Plan it early
- Book early. The last weeks of the summer term are busy for filmmakers and schools alike.
- Share the running order. Include songs, speeches, awards and any slideshow.
- Check consent. Confirm which pupils must not appear, and how they will be identified discreetly.
- Plan the room. Leave space for cameras at the side and back, clear of exits.
- Think about the slideshow. If you show photos, the filmmaker may be able to include them in the edit.
- Check your licences. Some songs and scripts need a licence before a recording is shared.
- Hold a production meeting. A short online call covers timings, the room and any concerns.
- Name a contact. One member of staff on the day keeps decisions quick and simple.
On the day
I use multiple cameras for live performances. One usually covers the whole stage, while another picks out faces and reactions.
Sound matters as much as the picture. So tell me about any microphones, music tracks or a piano in advance.
It helps to ask parents to stay seated and keep the aisles clear. Then the cameras have a clean view, and nobody stands in front of them.
I hold an enhanced DBS check and follow your safeguarding policies throughout. A member of staff stays with me, and I sign in like any other visitor.
Any late changes to the running order are worth sharing on the morning too. Then nothing important is missed.
Make it a keepsake
A leavers' film is watched for years, not days. So think about what families will want to see again.
The songs and speeches matter most. Awards and the final goodbye are often the moments families return to.
If you show a slideshow of photos, share it with me in advance. It may be possible to include it in the edit. Then the film tells the whole story of their time at school.
Short highlights can also be cut for your own channels, with the right consent. My guide to filming sports day and summer events covers the wider term.
Speeches from staff are worth planning too. A few words from the head teacher often become the heart of the film.
Consent at a public event
A leavers' assembly often includes the whole year group on stage. So consent needs a little more planning than a normal lesson.
Agree with staff where pupils without consent will sit or stand. A spot at the end of a row, or a role off stage, can work well.
Then confirm how they will be identified discreetly, such as with a sticker. Pupils are never singled out, and I never need to know why.
If a child still appears and must be removed, I can re-edit the film. My consent guide sets out the records to check first.
Some families who withhold consent for publicity are happy with a private family film. Check this through your usual process.
Sharing and keeping it
A private link is the simplest way to share the film. Families can watch on any phone, tablet or television.
Your school watches and approves the film first. Then you decide how and when families receive it.
Think about how long the link will stay open. If families want to keep the film for good, ask how they can save a copy.
Raw footage is stored on encrypted drives, and never shared outside the project. If you would like it deleted later, just ask.
Questions schools ask
How much does it cost to film a leavers' assembly?
Live performance filming is listed on my <a href="/prices/">prices page</a>. The cost depends on the length of the performance.
How soon will families receive the film?
Your school receives the film within 10 working days, through a private link. Once you approve it, you share it with families.
Can pupils without consent still take part?
Yes. I plan angles with your staff to keep them out of shot. Anything filmed by accident is removed or blurred.
Can you film a summer concert and a leavers' assembly on the same day?
Often, yes, if the timings allow. Share both running orders early, and I will plan the day around them.
Can parents still take their own photos?
That is your school's decision. Many schools ask parents to keep phones down, as the film covers the event for everyone.
Give every family a film of the day their child moved on. Talk to me about filming your leavers' assembly or summer concert.
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