The short answer
A subject video is a short film, 30 to 45 seconds long, showing learning in one subject. Schools use a series of them on curriculum pages and social media. Together, they show the breadth of what pupils learn.
What a subject video is
A subject video focuses on one area of learning, such as phonics, science, music or PE. It shows real lessons, with pupils doing rather than posing. Each film stands on its own, so families can watch just the subjects they care about.
Each film is short, so it suits a curriculum page or a social media post. A series of 15 or 20 covers the whole curriculum in a way text cannot.
Subject videos can also cover wider school life. Breakfast club, forest school, clubs and trips all make good subjects, and families enjoy seeing them.
A short title on screen names the subject, so families know what they are watching.
How schools use them
- Curriculum pages. One film per subject shows families what learning looks like.
- Social media. A film a week gives you content for a whole term.
- Open evenings. Families can browse the subjects that matter most to them.
- Your website. They show visitors, including inspectors, the breadth of your curriculum.
- Staff and governors. They are a quick way to share good practice across the school.
- Vertical versions. Short versions for Instagram and TikTok are available on request.
How they are filmed
Subject videos are usually filmed in a single day. I plan the day around your timetable, so lessons carry on as normal.
An online production meeting first agrees which subjects to film, and when. That way, every classroom knows what to expect.
Then each subject is filmed in a short visit to the lesson. Pupils carry on learning, and the camera captures it quietly.
Staff do not need to plan anything special. A normal lesson with plenty going on gives the best results.
Each visit usually takes a short part of the lesson, then I move on quietly. Screen photos can also be taken from the footage on the same day.
Choosing your subjects
Start with the subjects families ask about most, such as reading, phonics and maths. Then add the areas that make your school different.
Think about variety too. A mix of indoor, outdoor, quiet and active lessons makes the series more interesting to watch.
Finally, plan for the future. A series can grow each year, with new subjects added as your curriculum develops. Adding a few films each year keeps your website fresh as well.
Ask subject leads which lessons they are proudest of. Their choices often make the strongest films.
Getting the timetable ready
Share your timetable before the production meeting. Then I can see which subjects run on the day, and in which rooms.
Practical subjects work especially well on film. Science experiments, art, cooking, PE and music all give the camera something to follow.
Quieter subjects still work, however. Reading and maths can be shown through group work, discussion and pupils explaining their thinking.
Also check your consent list early, class by class. It is easier to plan shots when staff already know which pupils must stay out of frame.
Wet weather can affect outdoor subjects, so keep an indoor alternative in mind.
Using them through the year
A series works best when it is used steadily, rather than all at once. So plan a simple posting rhythm before the films arrive.
For example, post one film a week on social media, starting in September. Ten films then cover most of the autumn term.
Add each film to its curriculum page at the same time. Families who see a post can then find more on your website.
Newsletters are another good home. A link to one film each fortnight gives parents a window into their child's day.
Finally, show the series at open evenings on a screen or tablet. Families can then choose the subjects they care about.
Where subject videos fit
Subject videos sit alongside a main promotional film, rather than replacing it. The main film gives the feel of the school, and the series shows the detail.
Many schools film both on the same day. My guide to what to include in a promotional video covers the main film.
For early years, a dedicated film often works better than a subject series. My early years page explains the options.
Questions schools ask
How much do subject videos cost?
Subject videos come as 10 per package, with larger series available. The current prices are on my <a href="/prices/">prices page</a>.
How long is each subject video?
Each film is 30 to 45 seconds, which suits websites and social media.
Can we see examples?
Yes. My <a href="/subject-videos/">subject videos page</a> has a range of examples. Browse them by school or by subject.
Can screen photos be included?
Yes. Screen photos can be taken from the footage, ready for your website and newsletters.
Do inspectors see subject videos?
Ofsted does not ask for videos. However, subject videos on your website show the breadth of your curriculum to anyone who visits it.
Want to show the breadth of your curriculum? Browse my subject films, then talk to me about a series for your school.
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