This surprisingly moving film shows how teachers are true heroes

A new teacher recruitment film for the U.K.'s Department for Education charts the progress of one girl through her education and schooling using real-life teachers as actors-- and it's surprisingly moving.

Created by Havas London, and directed by Pulse Films’ Thirtytwo, it follows the journey of a young girl named Abi, from her very first day of school at four-years-old, through to her last at 18. Along the way we see the roles various teachers have played in her education, whether it's suggesting new ideas, giving encouraging comments in an exercise book or even telling her she could do better.

Abi is played over the years by four different actors, but the film features a cast of real teachers. Their performances, plus the quality of editing and music all combine to make an uplifting and moving film designed to inspire a generation of new teachers. 

Jen Black, managing partner at Havas London, adds: “For this campaign, authenticity was key. We wanted to capture the years of care, patience, encouragement and support that teachers invest into the children whose lives they shape. That’s something we could only accurately portray through using real teachers, whose buy-in was so important."

The film is running on U.K. TV and will also appear in cinema during October. Meanwhile the wider campaign will also appear across social media with additional films featuring real people telling their stories of teachers who have shaped their lives. A press and out-of-home campaign is also part of the project, which is being launched to coincide with the start of a new recruitment year and applications for teacher training opening on October 9.