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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that the film 'Ted' isn't suitable for an English class of 13yr olds?

26 replies

Preferthedogtothekids · 27/05/2013 18:58

I haven't seen the movie, but I believe it's crude and irreverant.

I world in a school, haven't been there long and I don't know the teacher concerned, but today I was told by several people that she has shown her class of 12-13yr old pupils the film over the past few classes. I would be furious if my DC were in this class.

I'm not sure if management know about this and I'm not sure if the school culture allows for whistle-blowing, but I am really tempted to let someone know. What to do?

OP posts:
Original poster
Preferthedogtothekids · 27/05/2013 18:58

*work not world...

OP posts:
DiscoDonkey · 27/05/2013 18:59

Totally unsuitable!

NatashaBee · 27/05/2013 19:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

barnet · 27/05/2013 19:00

Its not suitable, no. Find out what rating it is and let the school know I think?

scaevola · 27/05/2013 19:01

It's a 15, and I cannot think of a single thing about this film that would merit it for inclusion in the curriculum.

I'd be very annoyed about this.

Unless there's another film also called Ted?

EggsMichelle · 27/05/2013 19:01

It's a very amusing film, but not sure what it would teach to 12yr olds, except not to leave their bears unsupervised at home!

Bogeyface · 27/05/2013 19:01

It is totally unsuitable! Although it is possible that the teacher didnt realise quite how..........crude it is!

Numberlock · 27/05/2013 19:01

It's a 15.

MirandaGoshawk · 27/05/2013 19:02

It says on the blurb for the film that it's not for children. Has it got an age restriction?

I wouldn't be happy either. Can you get more definite info about whether it's suitable, & if not, ask in the classroom in a 'I was wondering...' sort of way, rather than making accusations, as it sounds like the horse has bolted now?

You do hear sometimes of teachers doing things that seem inappropriate & wonder about their common sense.

chickensaladagain · 27/05/2013 19:02

Absolutely not suitable, I was actually surprised it wasn't an 18 when I saw it

Every other word is a swear word and the main character is a bear that smokes bongs and simulates sex

Really not suitable

MirandaGoshawk · 27/05/2013 19:03

X post re age restriction!

Justfornowitwilldo · 27/05/2013 19:03

She could have used clips from the film?

MirandaGoshawk · 27/05/2013 19:03

*in the classroom = in the staffroom

PotteringAlong · 27/05/2013 19:03

I've not seen it but I'd say it depends - if the teacher was just showing it then that's totally inappropriate but if they've watched it bit by bit, talking about the symbolism, what was going on, even looking at the language used - is it appropriate? Why? Why not? How does it link to context? Then that's not a problem

worley · 27/05/2013 19:04

has it been shown in clips? my sons doing media studies and they are shown clips from some films that are over their ages, but only a suitable scene for them to discuss though. not the whole film.. we had to sign permission slips for this also.
(ds is 14)

PotteringAlong · 27/05/2013 19:04

Just realized it's a 15 - in which case no, it's not appropriate!

Original poster
Preferthedogtothekids · 27/05/2013 19:05

It was definitely the film about the very rude bear! and it certainly wasn't clips, today the kids got to watch the final part after watching the rest last week.

She is a middle-aged lady and I presume she has watched it previously, or at least know about it. I'm not around her classes at all so I can't question her. I think I might just drip feed the info to another English teacher and see if they act on it.

OP posts:
CajaDeLaMemoria · 27/05/2013 19:05

We had a few teachers that did this. They'd almost bribe the naughty kids, by telling them that we'd watch an adult movie if everyone was good/so-and-so got done.

Then we'd watch it at the end of term, or when we finished part of the curriculum. It was always something that was a 15 or an 18, with no educational content.

The teacher said that the film wouldn't do any harm, and most kids had probably watched them at home anyway. And that it made the class easier to control, and stopped interruptions, so it was a 'necessary evil'.

I remember because when the parents found out, there was a huge argument, and several supply teachers.

StrawberryMojito · 27/05/2013 19:06

Loved the film, but totally inappropriate for 12-13 year olds.

However, kids of this age are not known for their discretion. Surely, if this were true they'd all have gone home talking about it and parents would have already complained.

What to do? Maybe ask the teacher in question whether it was true and why (s)he did it. If you are still concerned, raise the issue with the leadership team.

TigOldBitties · 27/05/2013 19:08

I would think it quite strange to show it in school, but having seen it, and knowing my 13 year old has seen it, I wouldn't say it was inappropriate in general, just no something I would expect to be shown in school without a reason.

A others have said it could have been shown in clips, I know one of my DS's s shown clips form Sin City which is an 18 whilst at school, I didn't have a problem with this.

ChimeForChange · 27/05/2013 19:08

Very inappropriate, and I'm not a prude by any means.

It's not even that funny.....there are a FEW funny bits

Hulababy · 27/05/2013 19:15

Totally inappropriate from what I have heard about the film. It is a 15, so should nothave been shown to a group of 12-13 year olds, especially in a school setting.

There are some exemptions from the age thing in schools but only in terms of film clips and being linked to specific aspects of the curriculum. But this is more for thinks like Schlinder's List type programmes being shown in History. SI guess Media Studies may use other genres but again it is supposed to be clips only when film is above age restriction.

Original poster
Preferthedogtothekids · 27/05/2013 19:24

The year group are studying film genres and media at the moment and all classes are watching a couple of films which demonstrate a particular type. I guess her class are looking at the conventions of comedy but I am sure she could have chosen a more appropriate film.

OP posts:
ZillionChocolate · 27/05/2013 19:26

I watched it this weekend and enjoyed it. I wouldn't show it to a 13 year old. I'd be pissed off if my children were shown it in school. No educational content at all.

LoveBeingUpAt4InTheMorning · 27/05/2013 19:28

Defo not I would not be impressed