Have A Go Workshop – Glasgow Gaelic School

School: Àrd-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu

Type of Activity: Workshop

Name of Employer: Channel 4 – 4 Schools

Case Study:

The brief:   

Channel 4’s 4Schools initiative offers dynamic “Have a Go” workshops aimed at inspiring pupils aged 11–16 to explore creative careers in television and broadcasting. These sessions are designed to be hands-on, immersive, and highly engaging, bringing the energy and excitement of the media industry directly into the classroom. 

Through a series of interactive activities, pupils are introduced to a wide range of roles within the TV production environment, including directing, editing, sound design, scheduling, and presenting. Rather than simply hearing about these careers, pupils are encouraged to “try on” these roles through guided tasks that simulate real-world scenarios. This experiential approach helps demystify the industry and allows pupils to discover new interests and talents they may not have previously considered. 

The workshop: 

One of the most impactful segments of the workshop was the creative challenge, which tasked pupils with commissioning, planning, and producing their own original film or television show concept for Channel 4. This exercise was designed to mirror the actual development process used in the industry, giving pupils a taste of what it’s like to bring a media project from idea to pitch. 

Pupils were divided into six groups and given a brief that outlined five key areas they needed to address in their show proposal: 

• Name and Synopsis – What is the show called, and what is it about? 

• Theme and Tone – Is it comedic, dramatic, educational, or something else? 

• Casting – Who would star in the show? Would they choose established celebrities or emerging talent? 

• Set Design – Where is the show set, and what does the environment look like? 

• Advertising and Budget – How would the show be marketed, and how would the budget affect production choices? E.g. short episodes show or longer.  

To make the task more realistic, each group was given a set of budget options that would influence key decisions. For example, a higher budget might allow for elaborate sets and well-known actors, while a more modest budget would require creative compromises, such as filming in fewer locations or casting lesser-known talent. This added layer of complexity encouraged pupils to think critically about resource allocation, production logistics, and the commercial viability of their ideas. 

Throughout the planning phase, pupils had to collaborate closely, delegate responsibilities, and make strategic decisions about their show’s concept and execution. They considered everything from costume design and set aesthetics to the tone of their advertising campaign and the potential audience appeal. 

After 15 minutes of brainstorming and preparation, each group presented their pitch to Michael—Channel 4’s workshop facilitator—and the rest of the class. These presentations were not only a chance to showcase their creativity but also an opportunity to practice public speaking, persuasion, and teamwork. 

Objectives:

 

• Career Awareness: Increase awareness of the diverse range of careers available in the TV and broadcasting industries, beyond just on-screen talent.  
• Industry Insights: Provide insights from Channel 4 and other industry professionals on the realities of working in the creative and digital sector 
• Future Pathways: Encourage pupils to consider careers in the creative industries and provide them with information about potential pathways, including further education and training. 

 

Results/Outcomes:

• Practical Engagement: Offer hands-on activities and workshops to allow pupils to “have a go” at different aspects of TV production and digital media.  
• Skills Development: Help pupils develop relevant skills for these careers, such as creativity, communication, and problem-solving. 

Benefits:

• Improved knowledge of careers and opportunities and how to access. 

• Improved number of pupils gaining an SQA qualification. 

• Improved attendance for over 90% of the pupils that took part. 

• Increased confidence surrounding employment and careers as well as further education 

• Pupils were made to feel included and encouraged to recognise their talents. 

Testimonials:

“Being creative and working as a team to pitch ideas was fun.’’ S1 Pupil A 

“Showing someone from Channel 4 my idea for a show was really cool. He was super nice about listening to it.’’ S1 Pupil B