James, 14, from Leeds is 'superstar' lockdown filmmaker for Brigshaw High School

Entrepreneurial Brigshaw High School student James Thompson, 14, of Methley was happy with his rewards after producing promotional videos for a sweet shop, a pizza takeaway and a cafe.

James, 14, said: "It's like a dream to be paid in sweets and pizzas."

And James has won praise from teachers after making a number of videos for his school in Allerton Bywater.

James made his first video in April after asking teachers if they wanted to contribute a video message for a short film thanking NHS staff at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He edited around 20 video messages for his film 'Thank you NHS Brigshaw High School', which has been viewed 2,200 times on YouTube.

James said: "I wanted to do it because I felt it would be a nice thing to do to show some appreciation for all the hard work the NHS staff were putting in."

Brigshaw High School headteacher Maria Williams asked James to produce another film.

James collated around 30 videos of teachers speaking about what aspects of school life they missed most during lockdown.

He released that film on YouTube in early May.

The school then asked James to produce a 'transition video' for year seven pupils coming to Brigshaw from junior schools.

Physical tours of the school were not possible so James made a welcome to Brigshaw film featuring a virtual tour of the school.

The annual Brigshaw's Got Talent contest had to be held virtually this year.

James collated clips of around 20 student contestants performing their acts at home.

And he used clips of teachers judging their performances for that film, which was released on YouTube on July 9.

James's latest film is called Welcome Back to Brigshaw.

James went to school with a camera and a drone to film the new school layout for his latest production, which was released on September 7.

James said: "I have enjoyed every second of it. I have enjoyed the filming and the editing.

"The support from the school staff has been immense. I have had so much great support from all the teachers at Brigshaw."

Brigshaw High headteacher Maria Williams said: "He is an absolute superstar and is a real credit to the school.

"The videos are absolutely stunning. He is only just starting to study media, but looking at the quality of his work you would think he has been studying it for a couple of years."

James was in lockdown with mum Melanie, 45, dad Paul, 47 and brothers Ben, 18, and Matthew, 16.

Mum Melanie said: "I'm really proud of him. He has done a brilliant job with the videos."

All the videos James has created for his school can be seen at: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC1KGk4JkKGLozUuitzcEqww