Showing 15 rated film to 13 yr old

[HAPPYMUMOF5]

My 13 yr old came home from school distraught on Wed, having been shown a portion of the film Amistad in History. They are learning about the slave trade and apparently this film has been given to schools to show. Surely this is illegal as she is under age? I am so angry as the portion she saw involved whipping, drowning, babies dying, women being abused etc etc. I am even careful what 12s she watches, let alone this. No letter was sent to parents prior to the showing. I have contacted the head of history and verbally got an apology and told her i want a letter to all the children from her apologising as lots were upset but we all know what teachers are like- never wrong. I have an appt with the head but he hasnt even responded to my email stating my disgust at the school doing this. My dd was begging the teacher to be allowed out during the scenes, and her friend was shouting at the teacher to let her out as she was crying so much. Has anyone else experienced similar? Surely they can be disciplined for breaking the law?

[Spidermama]

I'd be furious. That sounds so traumatic.

I still remember being exposed to real footage of a man being shot in the head at school and it has haunted me ever since.

They had no business doing this. Presumably there was no letter home to warn you they were going to show it and give you the opportunity to ;pull her out.

Outrageous that the head hasn't responded.

You must call them to account and they need to apologise to your dd ideally.

So sorry she and you have been put through this HMof5.

[portonovo]

Happymumof5 - you don't live in Wiltshire do you?
The reason I ask is that exactly this happened to my 13 year old daughter last Friday. Same film.

She too was very upset and I was really angry - we vet all the films our children watch and I couldn't believe there was no consultation. Especially since the English dept are showing part of another 15 (Saving Private Ryan), but they at least asked parents to sign the child's planner to indicate permission. So my daughter and a few others left the class for that film.

I wrote a long letter to the head of year, and he rang me back the same day. He said that this issue had never arisen before (!), but that he would look into it. He said often they got special schools' versions of films, with the worst bits cut out - Schindlers List is one apparently. But Amistad was definitely the 'proper' 15 version, and it was quite a distressing passage.

I also had a letter yesterday from the head of history, and she said they would be discussing this at the next dept meeting and the next faculty meeting and also talking to the English dept about their 'best practice'.

I have asked that if any film is shown which is above the chronological age of the children in the class, parents be informed first and asked to give (or withhold!) permission. I have visions that in a year or two my then 15-16 year old will be shown 18s!

The head of history is to write back to me once all these discussions have taken place - I asked if there is a whole-school policy on this, and there doesn't seem to be one.

[JollyRogerMamaG]

I would be furious about that , I'm also careful about what my DD sees (although she is only 7) and i think it is disgusting that they did that.

[HAPPYMUMOF5]

Glad to hear its not just me over reacting. I live in Bucks portonova, so that is very worrying that it is all over that this film will be seen. I have resent my email to the head and now phoned him- again. Still no response. By the time my meeting comes round i will be ready to explode if he continues to not get back to me!

[mell2]

I know my dd would find this distressing. She is in yr9, just wondering if this may come up at her school.

[Littlefish]

Hi Happymumof5

I agree that parents should have been informed and in advance, and that the school may need to re-consider its policy. However, using comments like "but we all know what teachers are like - never wrong." may not help you to achieve the result you want.

I agree that it's extremely rude of the head not to have replied, but still think that you will gain far more by stating your case clearly and reasonably to the school without assuming that they will not do anything to help.

[Piffle]

I cannot believe they do not give advance notice of films shown - ESP with age certification
At ds's school (he is nearly 13 and in yr 8) they send home details of ALL films as they realise some parents have very specific cultural or moral or religious objections to certain films. Even Harry Potter as we found out last year!

[roisin]

I'm interested in this, we show Amistad to yr9s in English lessons at school: it certainly is quite shocking in places. We've never had any complaints afaik.

[portonovo]

To my mind, it's not so much the showing of the film that bothers me (although I also think there is plenty of suitable material out there which is not rated 15), but the fact there was no parental consultation or chance to opt-out. That was the basis of my complaint anyway.

[HAPPYMUMOF5]

Hi roisin,
Do you send letters to ask parents consent beforehand? And where does the school stand legally with showing a film to underage children? Thanks for any light you can shed on it as its a new area for me.

[roisin]

We don't send letters to parents; we do warn the children and tell them they are allowed to leave the room if they want.

My children are only 7 and 9, so I can't really judge it for myself. But in a busy job in a busy school it's unlikely we would change our policy until/unless a parent complained and forced our hand. (I'm not a teacher, so it's not my decision/responsibility iyswim.)

So I would say definitely go ahead and make your complaints.

[Twiglett]

I am normally of the 'school know best' variety of parenting but I have to say in this instance I am shocked and find that disgusting practice

I also think it is illegal under the Video Recordings Act 1984

copied from BBFC website:

BBFC (british board of film classification)

category 15 means "Suitable only for 15 years and over
No-one younger than 15 may see a ?15? film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ?15? rated video or DVD."

"The Video Recordings Act 1984
The Act requires the BBFC to have special regard (among the other relevant factors) to the likelihood of works being viewed in the home, and to

any harm to those likely to view a video
any harm to society through the behaviour of those viewers afterwards
In considering these issues the Board has in mind the possible effect not only on children but also on other vulnerable people.

The Act further requires that special regard is paid to the manner in which the work deals with

criminal behaviour
use of illegal drugs
violent behaviour or incidents
horrific behaviour or incidents
human sexual activity "

[wook]

Well, lucky your daughter wasn't a slave, then she would have really had something to get upset about wouldn't she? How dare her teachers try to make the subject real for their students, and to use different resources to try to bring it to life for the kids and teach it in an interesting way! Here's a newsflash: some REALLY bad things did and do actually happen in the world. It's part of a history teacher's job to let students know about them. But if you'd rather your children lived in a cotton wool nest in cloud cuckooland! If you want to make the world a better, nicer place for your kids then moaning at teachers is a bit of a pointless waste of energy: there's a lot worse out there, why don't you complain about something more important?

[julienetmum]

Wook, whoever you are as I have not come across you before, get real, children are children. It is not OK to distress 13 year olds by showing them adult material.

There are adults that would chose not to watch such a film.

I really can't be bothered to comment on your load of tripe any longer.

[olivia35]

We regularly show films of above the appropriate age (eg. Polanski's Macbeth for Year 9 SATs/McKellen's Richard III, also for SATs - both 15).

I also teach a unit for Year 8 based on the novel 'Private Peaceful' about WWI - I use (carefully chosen) extracts from 'The Monocled Mutineer', a BBC series rated 15.

Oh & extracts from assorted horror films (15 & 18) before I do GCSE coursework based on Edgar Allen Poe.

I send a letter home if I intend to use a film not rated for the age group. Frankly, I do so to protect myself rather than to protect the kids - I'm constantly shocked at what they download without their parents' knowledge ( or WITH their parents' knowledge, come to that).

I do try to be discreet when students' parents refuse permission. However, I don't watch 15s with them for a laugh! It's because a particular film will benefit their studies.

Also, a great many films that we use in English are quite old & wouldn't attract such a restrictive certificate these days.

Then again, I also teach a unit to Year 8 in which we watch bits of 'Jaws.' Scares the bejasus out of me. 12 Cert in the UK. Anything from PG > 18 elsewhere in the world - in fact, I get them to write an essay on what cert. they'd give it & why...usually they reckon 15!

Anyway. I (personally) think that young adults could do with a bit of thought-provoking, upsetting cinema such as Amistad. However, they should have asked your permission first - so write & complain by all means.

[portonovo]

The other point to consider though is whether school is necessary the time or place to watch distressing films.

While I can see why some films might be shown to illustrate a certain topic, it might not be the right environment. For instance, when my daughter's class watched 'Amistad', they were shown the relevant part of the film, had a very brief discussion and then the teacher merrily sent them off to their next lesson and expected them just to get on with it.

Now, many an adult might have wanted some more time to reflect on or discuss what they had seen, and children are no different. If my husband and myself decided it would be acceptable and beneficial for my daughter to see such a film, we would rather it take place at home where we could watch it together, talk about it at length if need be, and offer comfort as appropriate.

Consultation is all I'm asking for, then I can decide if and when my children will watch something - I would even view it myself first if necessary before making that decision.

[Blandmum]

Fully agree christie.

The school should have notified the parents.

If something like this is to be shown you should have advance warning. I also think that showing small snippets of a 15 cert film may be a good way round the situation, since you lack the emotional 'submergence' that you get watching a full film IYSWIM.

Not a problem I ever havem since I only ever show 4 film. One of the discovery of DNA, one on how electricity is generated, one on parasites and one on bacteria.....so I guess I'm OK. OTOH, I could just be 'one of those teachers' I suppose

[twinsetandpearls]

I show a lot of film clips as I teach general RE which can be a more relaxed subject and an be a way of forming a link between the owrlds of my students and a subject that can be very alen to them.

I have never shown clips from films that are not age appropriate although I have known it go on in schools and it tends to be more maverick teachers who don't show the party line.

I had a complaint last week for showing a clip from dead man walking as it had a rape scene in it although the film was rated 15 and my students were all 15 0r 16 an I did warn the students beforehand. The complaint was not a formal one but came via the student and I contacted home to talk to the parent and explain why the clip was thought appropraite to get across the teaching point I was tryong to communicate to my students. However I certainly did not have the attitiude that I am a tecaher so I must be right, infact I acknowlegdged that the scene could be very upsetting and I am having a discussion with my head of department on Friday as to whether we should show the clips that I did.

[twinsetandpearls]

toe the party line that should be, I would complain if my daugter was shown a video that was not age appropriate.

[HAPPYMUMOF5]

Sorry for upsetting any teachers!! I was speaking as an angry/shocked mum. Wont generalise again. I know there are brilliant caring teachers so i apologise.
That was very interesting info Twiglett. I think its the importance of warning that I want to get across to the school is so important. Roll on tuesday when it can be sorted.