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Hello all,
Just garnering some opinion on this. Just found out that the set film for our boy in year 5 next year is a 15 rated docu-pic. He will be 9 and then 10. I’ve seen it, read the book and think it’s fairly harrowing, and I’m a growed up. Teacher jokingly says they’ll fast forward through the swearing. Hmmmm.
We are quite strict, unlike some in his year, and are very wary of anything 12 rated, let alone 15. He isn’t allowed to play fortnite for example but take a view on other games and films. Not 15 though.
I have an opinion, you can guess what it is, but am I being over-protective?
Thanks for opinions.
I'd certainly not think that's appropriate and would be loudly voicing my objections.
Is it a question of ethics, or one of law?
Depends. Boy in the striped pajamas or Schindler's list (actually 12 and of respectively, but if they were 15) in the context of learning about the Holocaust would be different to the human centipede and medical ethics.
I don't have kids.
What is the film?
Looked into this a while ago, BBFC says:
What is the legal position of a teacher who wants to show pupils a film or video at a higher category than their age?
The BBFC's cinema age ratings only apply to films shown in licensed cinemas. If you are taking a school group to the cinema for a standard screening where you are paying to view the film, the normal rules and laws apply. You may not take a 14-year-old to see a 15-rated film or a 16-year-old to see an 18-rated film.
The age rating for a DVD, video or Blu-ray explains which audience we believe the film is suitable for, and applies to point of sale or rental rather than to where the material is viewed. It is not actually illegal for schools to show BBFC-rated videos, DVDs or Blu-rays to its pupils of any age, just as parents may also choose to show any material to children in the home. Merely showing an age-restricted film to underaged persons - or allowing them to see one outside a licensed cinema - is not in itself an offence.
We would, however, strongly discourage such a practice unless (a) the children in question are only a year or so below the age stated on the certificate, and (b) there is a serious educational purpose to showing the recording (eg showing well-known works or educational films such as 15-rated Schindler's List to 14-year-old GCSE students). Even in such cases, schools should seek parental consent prior to showing the film. We would also recommend obtaining the approval of the Head Teacher and Governors. It is vital to make sure that any children watching are not likely to suffer any ill effects as a result of seeing the film.
A cinema would get in deep shit if it deliberately showed a 15 rated film to 10 year olds, I think a school would be too. Does the BBFC site have an entry for the film?
edit - Ah, I see from vinneh's post that they may be legally OK even though they're still falling foul of the "within a year or so" caveat. They're still on shaky ground unless they're very carefully picking scenes that avoid the elements that got the film its 15 rating.
As above, what's the film? You say 'set film', but I can't see that a 15 film would be a fixed part of a Year 6 curriculum.
[edit] Schindler's list is indeed 15, the first result on Google when I checked was just a trailer.
Doesnt sound right to me. We dont let our 11yr old watch 15 films so i wouldn't be too happy with this.
Have a word with someone at the school more senior.
what’s the film?
This.
What's the film?
They'll probably seek consent nearer the time which you can abstain your child from taking part.
We shouldn't have to be put in the position where it becomes necessary to opt out a child from a film.
I don't think the school should be making that decision on your behalf.
We let our 10 yr olds watch the occasional 15. If its just a bit of swearing then im not bothered as I am sure they hear and probably use worse in the playground (I know I did) whats more important to me is that they understand when its not appropriate to use that sort of language.
but am I being over-protective?
Yes
Ethics / Morals, they're important but in this case I think it's more important for you to decide whether exposing your Kid to it is a good idea.
I tend not to beat about the bush with Teachers, they're too used to getting their own way, if you don't want your Son to watch the film, tell them "Don't show that film to my Son".
but am I being over-protective?
No. (for balance)
BBFC have given the film a rating for a reason. This kind of decision falls entirely in the purview of the parent, regardless of what the teacher involved is recommending. You get to choose when your child is exposed to emotionally distressing or violent or even sweary material in class.
You can't demand that the screening is scrapped altogether, as some parents might be perfectly comfortable with it, but it is perfectly reasonable to withdraw your child, and it seems very unlikely that his understanding of the topic will be wrecked by missing the film.
We shouldn’t have to be put in the position where it becomes necessary to opt out a child from a film.
Depends on the film, which we're still none the wiser what it is, and the reason for the school adding it to their curriculum.
Mrs P is coincidentally running her final primary school cinema club after doing it for >5 years today. It's done in conjunction with some organisation that supplies/recommends films. Occasionally they show one that's less suitable for KS1 and so she clearly communicates why this would be and suggests to parents that younger/sensitive children may want to miss that one. There's no way on earth that this would be anywhere near a 15 certificate level.
It sounds like a teacher has not really thought it through and once the SLT or governors become aware it would get immediately stopped I'd suggest - before the local press have a field day.
I'd have a word with a deputy or the head and not feel in the least bit guilty about saying my child won't be attending.
Depends on the film, which we’re still none the wiser what it is, and the reason for the school adding it to their curriculum.
I'm certainly interested to hear why the school thinks they have more expertise in film classification than the BBFC.
My two are 12 & 15 so will have been through the curriculum yours is going through. We didn't opt out of any films and I don't remember ever having any concerns, let us know the film and I can see if it was one they viewed and at what age.
For the record I am massively protective over what my two watch and I have been a little taken aback by what now classes as 15 versus my expectations. Now may daughter is 15 I have pretty much accepted that I can't monitor every 15 rated film for her and that she is mature enough to manage whatever is thrown at her on screen. My son does the usual "why can she watch it and I can't" thing, but i still do the check on anything above a 12 for him.
To get back on topic, schools should have the level of common sense required to know if the film is age appropriate, or am i being naive?
Depends on the film, which we’re still none the wiser what it is, and the reason for the school adding it to their curriculum.
This.
I'm also against parents being put into the position of withdrawing their child as it can causes other issues with regards to bullying etc.
I’m certainly interested to hear why the school thinks they have more expertise in film classification than the BBFC.
Because the BBFC is for cinema film classification not education.
For example - the original Karate Kid was a 15 cert, it's now a 12.
Tim Burton's Batman, the first 12 certificate film in the cinema, was a 15 when released on video.
So until we know the movie we cannot judge your kid's school.
I’m certainly interested to hear why the school thinks they have more expertise in film classification than the BBFC.
A film shown in isolation can be very different from a film shown as part of education: discussions before and after; forewarning of the more disturbing parts; the opportunity to edit out any particularly nasty sections...
It’s a no from me. A 15 film is very unlikely to be suitable for primary school children.
My local school showed the year 6 children Coralline without checking with the parents first. That’s a PG and there was a lot of anger as it’s quite a dark film for many children.
Even if they fast forward the swearing the rest of the content could be quite testing.
Seems unnecessary to me.
Definitely depends on the film, as others have said.
Harrowing? You know your child's ability to cope better than anyone, so up to you whether you let them see it.
Swearing? **** that. They hear it all the time. My 16 year old still doesn't swear in front of me, but I know him and his mates are, well, pretty normal.
Thanks all for the replies.
Film is Touching The Void.
Because the BBFC is for cinema film classification not education.
Disregarding the BBFC guidance solely because it's being shown in a school rather than a cinema isn't good enough. The school will need to be ready to demonstrate the serious educational purpose of showing the film, and that showing a 15 rated film to 10 year olds won't cause harm or distress. From 10 to 15 is quite a jump, and while some of a class of 10 year olds may be fine with the content of a film rated 15 it's very likely some will not.
Just seen the post identifying the film. I wouldn't be happy with a 10 year old of mine being needlessly exposed to Boney M even if it is for educational purposes.
Film is Touching The Void.
I wasn't expecting that!
I'd let all my kids watch that, on the basis that I can't remember anything overly worrying in the content. (Other than the whole hanging by a rope, crawling through the mountains, possible death by mountain, etc). I've read the book as well. But then I accidentally let my 8 year old watch Jaws a few months ago. She's not too traumatised.....
Seems a very odd choice of film for 10year olds to me. I'm not a parent but I can't imagine a wider educational context for that particular film that couldn't be equally or better served by another.
Touching the Void was rated 15 for "very strong language" and tbf that's probably one of the easiest things to contextualise for a child.
Depends if they are studying the book too?
According the BBFC website it's 15 due to strong language, I personally wouldn't have an issue. However, they are not my child.
at least in a school there will be a discussion and back up to discuss the whys and wheres of the content
unlike a cinema where some parents will watch the movie with their kids and then leave and there will be no further discussion on the content.
Surely if it's an end of term thing, Deadpool would be a better alternative?
Or have they got a school sponsored trip to South America coming up?
only a 15 due to language, apparently
https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/touching-void-2003-0
that said, I'm not sure I'd want an entire year of 10 year olds learning new swearwords 😀
that said, I’m not sure I’d want an entire year of 10 year olds learning new swearwords 😀
They probably know more than we do.
Can't see what damage that film would do to a 9/10 year old watching it in a classroom as part of a discussion/lesson. I can however see the damage making a point of excluding the child from that experience would do to the child.
It’s a bit sweary but that’s about it. I’d not be too worried abut it but you may think different.
I seem to remember a bit of broken bone-grinding action but no actual gore. A few c-words and quite a few f-words. There will have to be a lot of fast-forwarding or some of this.
Just out of curiosity does you son read books?
If so, does he read those with fruity language?
I remember reading the Northern Lights trilogy, & the way some of the violence was described would've probably made the film 15 if it had accurately depicted.
I do not even have children, but can say that there would be no way I would let this slide.