School showed 13 yr olds a 15 horror film. im i making to much of it ?

As a teacher, I think your first step should be to speak directly to the teacher involved. From what you've posted, it does sound a strange permission letter, and the way your daughter has spoken about the class seems concerning. However, I would want to know more about what the teacher intended and how the class reacted to it. I've known teachers to show a variety of videos which on first glance would seem inappropriate, but they have good reasons or specific clips to show and really set them up to make it a good learning experience.

Did you get a reply to your letter? If I received one like that, I'd have passed it to my head via my dept head for one of them to phone you and discuss your thoughts. When you do talk to the school, don't be surprised if they defend the action - they are likely to then go and deal with the incident effectively in private (just like you would if someone commented on the behaviour of your child when they were out!)

Let me know what happens

When my dd was in Yr 9 (13/14 yr olds), she bought home a permission slip to watch Slumdog Millionaire (15). As
a) I was aware of the film title and therefore the film I was happy to make informed decision
and
b) she had already seen it, as we thought it was a 12, and were surprised to discover it was a 15.

This was for geography.

I've found this a very interesting thread.

I think the discussion of Gremlins rather misleading though. As a media studies teacher, the poster must know that the 15 classification was nothing to do with 80s sensibilities, rather the result of what certificates were then available. The difficulties with classifying that film (and Indiana Jones that year) lead directly to the creation of new certificates in UK (12) and US (13).

I would not give my permission for my children to watch films in schools that they would not be allowed to watch in a cinema (might let them watch on a DVD at home, where the experience would be less intense and a parent would be present).

The showing of film to children under age for the certificate in schools appears to have become routine. I am very glad this thread had warned me of it, and I shall ensure that, if my DCs take a film-based subject, that I send in a letter at the start of the course indicating they may not be shown such material.

I have a 13 year old daughter (well 13 in 3 weeks time) and there is no way I would allow her to watch "Drag me to Hell". She wouldn't sleep for a week. They watched "The hole" at school a few weeks ago which is a 12 and I know that left her feeling uneasy as she kept talking about the film and how it had creeped her out. If I was sent a permission slip asking me to allow her to watch an un-named 15 rated film there is no way I would sign it and I would be asking the school why they felt the need to show 13 year old children horror films.

I'm fairly sure school should not be showing a 15 film to U15s legally, even with parental consent. Even if they are (and I know my school would never condone it) you are not being OTT, they are completely out of order.

Peer pressure at that age can be intolerable, inspired. And it certainly sounds as if the teacher was putting pressure on as well. It really shouldn't be necessary to watch 15 rated films - there are plenty of good films with lower ratings.

What is all this about being forced or persuaded to watch the film?

The teacher did the professional thing and sent home a permission slip, no one was forced to watch it, the OP signed the permission slip.

All you have for any persuasion is a 13 year olds account of what happened. Which, no offence OP, may not be accurate?

I'm sure the teacher would have had a backup in case parents said no, either another film or a separate activity for the students who did not want to watch.

As someone who didn't turn the light off at night for 3 weeks having seen the previews for a 15 rated film at the cinema (and I was in my 20s at the time), I would be horrified if my DCs were being forced to watch horror films at school at all. DS2 in particular is very sensitive to scary stuff. It is not an appropriate genre to force on to anyone and either shouldn't be used or an alternative should be offered.

Maybe those of you who enjoy horror films and think this is OK could actually think about the effects on those who are literally terrified by them. Waking up in the night with your heart racing, too scared to reach your hand out to turn the light on is not pleasant and is not an exaggeration.

Please ignore any typos - laziness to blame today rather than booze!

Ah, I see! Thanks for clearing up!

yOUR son's media teahcer (if going to watch higher rated films) may well send a letter out at the start of the year.

It is unlikely that you will get a letter regarding clips from higher rated films though as, if they anything like me, they will use sooooooooooooooo many clips (from all genres, ages etc) that it would be impossible to list the lot.

He should enjoy media as it can be a fascinating and rewarding subject (the coursework is more rewarding and visually pleaseing than English for example).

media - I don't think the new poster bit was directed at you but at the OP.

I must ask what films DS has watched as I have never been asked to sign a parental consent form (he is yr9). He has however chosen Media as one of his options.

"Erm, I don't like to point this out, but it is a new poster, and I wonder is it entirely accurate.
It seems a bit odd ."

Err, why does me being a new poster make my opinion and experience any less valid? I run a very successful Media deaprtment and am part of an equally successful English department.

I agree with teh choice of film being a bad choice (as it is just a bog standard horror/gore fest, rather than the rating) and this may be my only issue. My main point is that schools are specifically given exception to the age guidelines with justification. Last year I watched Stand By Me with my year 9 media group (3 year GCSE course), looking at narrative and genre. We also watched the opening of 'Scream' as we were doing a Horror unit and the opening is a fab example of how tension is ramped up, the conventions of the genre and mise-en-scene.

And it is outdated ideas about media that gives it its bad name. It is a very relevant subject. I do believe people felt similarly about English Literature 30 odd years ago, and IT 10years ago. Both of which are now highly regarded as subjects.

And ref Polanski's Macbeth - Yes, It is FAB! It is in no way indicative of his personal choices, other versions of Macbeth do not seem to do it justice AND engage the students in the same way (I personally like the Judy Dench version but even I can see it would be a bit 'boring' for some students who are being forced to study Shakespeare)

Media as a separate subject at 13 would certainly be a crock of shit!

I'm guessing this is year 9 starting GCSE (which is good) & doing a practice for their controlled assessments in year 10 (also good practice); no need to pick a crappy recent horror movie, though.

My year 9s are currently doing original writing - practice CA - they'll watch some of 'Stand By Me'.

Re: Polanski's Macbeth - no, sorry, no plans to remove it because of the director's morals. It's a bloody good interpretation of the play.

my only problem with this is

media studies

at 13

what the hell?

it is in itself a crock of shit - no wonder some kids leave school unable to read and write - what with media studies and citizenship and jamie bollocks insisting on parenting by proxy through schools

what bollocks

I like horror films, but I do think it's a bit odd that the teacher's choice was Drag Me To Hell, which is by all accounts a cheesy crock of shit. There are much better horror films that he could have used to illustrate whatever aspect of horror film-making he wanted the class to understand.

A similar thing happened with my DD and a 'trendy' teacher. They watched half of a 15 film when she was 14, without any sort of parental permission. She came home a bit distressed and embarrassed by some of the content.
So I wrote a stern email.
As I had the film on DVD, I watched it when she'd gone to bed, listed all the bits that were inappropriate that she'd seen, then all the bits that were in the second half. I pointed out the inappropriate context of watching certain things in a mixed sex class and the negative impact it had on future attitudes.
It was a polite letter with my most serious 'teacher voice' and I copied it to the HOY and the head.
They didn't watch the second half, he was given some guidance as to what was and wasn't appropriate and DD went on to get an A* GCSE in his subject with no bad feelings on anyone's behalf.
Yes, there were other girls that felt the same way and were grateful someone had taken a stance.
Why did I have the DVD? I like horror films.

Schools show Polanski films? If adults want to take the choice to watch the "art" of a rapist because they consider the art excuses his private choices, fine, but don't show it to children before they have had the chance to know if they want to support such art or not, please.

It's SOP for schools to ask parents to agree to secondary students watching films of a higher classification (eg. we do Macbeth in year 8, the Polanski film is a 15).

However, it's also usual to be aware that not all students/parents will be OK with this, & to plan round it.

I went to see that film in the cinema with DP and he got too scared and we had to leave... he doesnt like scary films though haha.

but yeah I dont think that is appropriate for 13 year olds..

I have had to join this forum JUST so I can reply and, in some way, defend the teacher.

I am a teacher (of English and Media Studies) for 14-18 year olds. I also run the film club for years 7-9 (ages 11-14). I have also sent a letter to my students' parents regarding the watching of 15 films.

For the Media GCSE we watched Blair Witch project as part of a film unit I was doing, partly because I felt it was good example of cinematography, viral marketing campaigns, tension building etc. This was shown to year 10 pupils who would have been 15, or almost 15, and so ok for the content.

I have also shown some 15s to my film club. One example being 'Gremlins', which if classified now would probably be rated a 12 as it is so mild in the violence/gore/swearing that 15 is far too high (but obv 80s sensibilities were more strict). Compare this to the current film we are watching ('About a Boy' which is a 12) and it seems like a Disney film comparatively.

As for the showing of films underage, schools are not held to the classification but advised to use them as guidelines. This is so clips and films relevant to the syllabus can be used (e.g. we are currently studying 'action adventure' and I have used clips from Kill Bill among others as an illustartion of female heros which could subvert the traditional notion of male hero). It is the teacher's professional judgment whether it is suitable or relevant to the topic. Also teachers often use genres which they enjoy/feel comfortable with to be able to explore more confidently. The film choice may be questionable, but if it has an academic reason I woulnd't see the problem - it's not like they are watching 'Debbie Does Dallas' or ' Saw 3'.

And finally - Media Studies is NOT a 'soft' or 'easy' subject. It DOES NOT involve watching films all year long. On my course, the GCSE students will have watched 3 films in full - 2 as thier exam this year is on Action Adventure (and one of these films was on a study day), and one film for their coursework on film. Media studies GCSE (and A level) requires a lot of creativity and A LOT of coursework. They also need to have a good, in depth knowldge of the topic for the exam, understand some theories and be able to communicate clearly and effectively.

It is, admittedly, an exam that is hard to fail completely. BUt it is also a subject that is hard to excel in as it is such a wide subject area and the specification requires a lot to be done and a lot of knowledge to be shown in a very short amount of time.

I personally feel that Media is a very important subject in today's life as it has such a huge impact on everything we do (in fact Mumsnet itself is a fascinating use of New Media, convergence and developments in technology and society).

Thank you for reading my mini rant - and sorry for any typos - it's 11pm on SATURDAY night and I am 3/4 way through a bottle of Rose!

My 13 year old recently came home and informed me she had watched a film rated 15 that day at school. The film was 10 rillington place, which I have watched previously and found it very creepy. But, the issue that my DD took with it was that it was rated 15 and she shouldn't be watching it! She has ASD and is a stickler for rules- she won't even watch a pirate DVD. I have been really interested reading this thread to see that posters we saying to contact the head - I think I may give that some thought.

The school sent a letter asking permission, if you don't want daughter to see it you return the reply slip saying no. Why the heck would the op need to follow this up as some of you are suggesting when the op signed yes? I did media gcse at school ( it was my one non academic subject) and we compared and contrasted 'the thing' and 'alien'. The school will have a standard approved letter but you might want to suggest in future the school name the film and if you disapprove send the reply back 'no'

'Can I show underage material that is part of the criteria for Film Studies?

The classification decision indicates that the film contains material which the Board considers unsuitable for children younger than the age specified. However, there are some cases where it might be considered appropriate to show a film in an educational context where it is properly discussed and presented. For example, some AS and A2 Media or Film Studies exam syllabuses include ?18? rated films.

The BBFC's cinema ratings legally apply only to licensed cinemas, so it is not illegal for schools to show BBFC-rated videos to its pupils. Merely showing an age restricted tape to underaged persons - or allowing them to see one - 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 some kind of serious educational purpose to showing the recording

Clearly, schools should seek parental consent prior to the screening. We would also recommend obtaining the approval of the Head Teacher and Governors. It is also important to make sure that any children watching are not likely to suffer any ill effects as a result of seeing the film.'

Source: www.sbbfc.co.uk/FAQ_teachers#underagematerial

Our school had planned to let the Yr7s watch a 12 film, but my DD was the only one in the class still aged 11. The school phoned me to confirm that it was OK, otherwise the whole class would have missed it. My DD was glad I said yes, because the rest of the class wanted to watch it.

Teachers should plan ahead and should know how old the pupils are. They should not be in a position where they are the one that stops the whole class watching the film.

I would not want her watching a 15 when she is 13.