to expect primary schools not to show PG films without parents' say so

[earlycomputers]

I am pretty lenient with what my kids see but it bristles with me that their school just makes them watch 2 hour length PG rated films without first checking whether we mind about the content. My DD (year 3) watched Arthur Christmas today and whilst I don't mind her watching this, I would imagine some stricter parents would object to the alcohol and sex references. When my DD was in Reception, they watched a U rated film which whilst it was a 'U' still left some of the class in tears. Another one they watched on a previous year was Nanny McPhee (don't know if it was 1 or 2) and I recall there was mild swearing in it.

Firstly - why can't schools just show something for an hour rather than 2 hours - surely that's a home treat prerogative for the parents to manage? Secondly, if they must show a long film why can't it be a U rating?
If I take my DD's friends out with her to the cinema, I take pains to tell the friends' parents I will be taking them to a U rated film because I am wary of other parents' levels of strictness about film watching - (my dd is 7).

Can't imagine anyone objecting to Arthur Christmas?

Personally im not bothered my 5 year old inparticular has watched 12s before as long as me and his dad know the film before hand and make sure its suitable im not botherd

At the school mine are at they are only allowed to show u films apparently, the older kids have apparently had to take consent forms home to watch PG

You don 't mind, so don't get het up. I don't see the point of getting offended of behalf of other parents who are probably quite capable of getting offended for themselves should they feel the need.

FWIW my dd is in yr three and I wouldn't give a monkeys if she watched a 2 hour pg film two days before they break up for Xmas.

I can't get worked up over this no matter how hard I try.
A PG is fine for the age groups you mention. In fact I let my 3 year old watch Nanny Mcphee, and Arthur Christmas. As far as I know it hasn't scarred him for life

My DD used to be quite sensitive and in YR watched Shrek at school and had "bad dreams".

She's been fine since YR though. No issue with Arthur Christmas, which she has also seen in school.

YABU about the PG films, I've never seen a PG that a child shouldn't watch.

YANBU about 2 hour films. We aren't allowed to show films at school at all unless they are directly related to what we've been covering in lessons and I'm not bitter about it at all

My DD is v sensetive about films but equally likely to get freaked by a U as a PG. When they watched films in YR she used to be let go and play in nursery instead. Though yes i don't understand why they do so much of it.

yes I like the idea of schools doing consent forms - that at least acknowledges the parent's values. And whilst I am fine with most PG films for my 7 year old - I totally respect other parents might not be so happy. After all the PG rating is there for a reason.

Arthur Christmas is a U. I know because I bought it after seeing parents on here fussing about PG films being unsuitable.

A teacher is acting in loco parentis during the school day. I hope the parents of the children I teach trust me enough to decide if a film is suitable.

Why is Arthur Christmas PG?

In the schools defence, it is much harder to find U films nowadays. We always ask parents permission if we are showing anything other than a U but Arthur Christmas- really ?? That is very innocent isnt it?

BTW, in my class we are doing normal lessons til 2pm on Friday when it is a special assembly- v jealous of film afternoons!!

its a 'u'

School are in loco parentis. You're looking for things to get annoyed about i think - not as if they were showing X rated stuff. People would be moaning if schools sent too many letters out.

I'm a teacher and also have small dcs at home. I only use U rated films in school at the end of term but am surprised at how many films which my dcs have enjoyed are PGs.

The only time I have shown a PG film I sent a note home about it first and I always provide an alternative activity for those children who would prefer not to watch a film at all.

Alcohol and sex references in Arthur Christmas? Must have passed me by!

What sex references in Arthur Christmas??

Our infant school only show U rated films unless a consent from is sent out

We've only ever used U classifications without permission.
If we want to show anything else, even a harmless clip from a film that isn't a U, we ask for written permission

Watership Down is a U. I think most parents would sooner show their child was shown Arthur Christmas,than that.

Arthur Christmas? You really have got bigger battles to fight than this OP (or will have)

My primary school showed us the Belstone Fox back in the 70's. My mum thought someone had died when she came to pick me up. So many children sobbing their hearts out.

www.imdb.com/title/tt0069776/

Agree about how often kids seem to watch films at school, I think it's too much. I have problems with quite a few of the films my DC have been shown at school, mainly because of the depiction of women (or lack of in pretty much every Pixar film).

I wouldn't be happy about my sensitive 4 year old watching a PG which the British Board of Film Classification suggests is suitable for children over 8. For example Coraline is a PG and yet is bloody scary, I also have PGs that are clearly adult films with adult content so not suitable for a young child. On the other hand they have watched Wreck It Ralph which is a PG.

It all depends on the child, doesn't it? You will know whether your own child is likely to be bothered. You are in a position to make a judgment, but is a teacher in the same position? Or will their decision about what to show be based on their view of what most of the class will be happy with?

Actually, I don't think YABU. I'd like to be told if my DS was going to be watching a film and what that film was.

Out of interest, here's what the British Board of Film Classification has to say about PG films:

'PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content might upset younger or more sensitive children.'

Around eight years old is quite a bit more mature than some of the children mentioned in this post. If I was a teacher I'd be erring on the side of caution where showing films was concerned.

Sorry. Just read all the posts by teachers which appeared while I was typing mine. I didn't mean to sound as if I thought you wouldn't be very careful in your choice of films.

It does seem that some schools are showing PG films without consent though.

Our school always asks permission for showing PGs.