Clevedon’s Curzon cinema has teamed up with an education programme to offer a new way of learning to young people.

North Somerset Times: The Curzon cinema. Picture: Frederico Colarejo.The Curzon cinema. Picture: Frederico Colarejo. (Image: Frederico Colarejo)

Boomsatsuma has been offering a range of post-16 courses to people in North Somerset and Bristol for more than five years and now has plans to launch its latest project in partnership with the grade-two listed venue.

A new media production diploma will offer 15 pupils the chance to learn about a number of aspects of the business, including photography, graphic design, film marketing and events management over two years.

From September, students will gain first hand experience about the inner workings of the local cinema while gaining a diploma which is equivalent to three A levels.

Post-16 programme lead Elliot Lamb said it was a ‘very exciting opportunity’ for the educator.

He added: “We have previously worked with the Curzon on a competition called Pocket Pictures where students would submit short films.

“The chief executive officer Susannah Shaw always had a keenness and interest to bring in different parts of the community into the Curzon.

“Our full-time course will offer places which are in context and will teach students about the standards it takes to work at a traditional cinema and gain experience working in a business location where they can possibly gain employment.

“The Curzon has a lot of potential and it is currently being run by a team who care about the history and the people who live around the area.”

Boomsatsuma believe it is the first time a post-16 course of this nature has been run out of a cinema and Elliot and his team has said they are ‘very interested’ to see how things develop.

The new venue will open up more opportunities for students in North Somerset as the only other places for this course are in Weston and Bristol.

Ms Shaw said: “Over the years the Curzon has been involved in many projects with local schools.

“No doubt there will be challenges, but to have a team of young people all interested in filmmaking, working in the Curzon, is bound to bring new ideas and inject a fresh spirit into the cinema.”

Students interested in the course can visit www.boomsatsuma.com for more information.