to be annoyed that school thought it was a good idea to show year 6 the hunger games?

[whojamaflip]

Ds has come home today and told me that they have watched The Hunger Games in class after a class vote. the students were invited to bring in films and they could choose what to watch.

I'm pretty pissed off tbh, never mind they are year 6 so not old enough to watch a 12a without parents, but the subject matter is something I don't think is suitable for year 6.

if school had asked permission - which I think they should have done - I wouldn't have given it.

aibu? should I write to school and complain or am I being pfb?

While some Yr 6s will be ok in watching a 12A film, others may not be, and as all the children were younger than the age rating for the film, it should not have been shown.

"In loco Parentis" doesn't apply to every situation while children are at school it does have limitations.

And parents should most definitely have the final say on what their children watch, as they are the best judges of their children's likely reactions to a film.

Personally I would not have allowed DD to watch the film at that age, I know her reaction would have been bad, even to the 12A version.

DS on the other hand, I might consent, but as he's still only Yr 5, I wouldn't like to say for definite yet.

All the people who think this is OK have children who would have been fine watching it at age 10-11. Unfortunately, not all children would be Ok with this film.

OP, I wouldn't email the school. Like you and your DCs, school staff are now on Christmas holidays and you're unlikely to get a response.

I would speak to the teacher in person a few days into the spring term.

I would also resist the temptation to "take it further up the food chain". The teacher made the decision to show the film - you should talk to him/her first. To go straight to the head could imply that you don't feel able to discuss it with the teacher and if I was the teacher I would wonder why that was.

OP, be careful what you wish for.

If parents ask that the children watch a film linked to their learning, you might find the school makes the decision to do academic work right up to when they break up, as they do in my DS's secondary school.

Or they may opt to play it totally safe and go for a U certificate in every year group in the school.

I can tell you now your DS would come home far less impressed with either of those decisions than with seeing a film you don't want him to see at his age.

PGs for Y5 and Y6 fine, but HG is only not 15 due to careful editing, it's not suitable for primary school.

Whether or not you think it's a good film or your child would enjoy it, you're making the right decision for your child as the child's parent. It's not a decision anyone should be making for you. I would not have chosen to watch this myself and wouldn't have agreed for my child to see it - just my personal choice, not something that has to be justified.

As a teacher I wouldn't have considered showing this particular choice, or showing a 12 film to younger children without parental permission. End of term movies for fun are going to be U. My KS2 classes used to love the Box of Delights. As for the advice to get over it in the Christmas spirit... finding anything Christmassy in the Hunger Games is going to be a challenge!

All mine have watched the film, the youngest is 10

BUT, I watched it first and got the 10 year old to not watch certain parts (not many), he could have left if he wanted to AND I would want the school to ask me before showing him a film like that

So OP, YANBU

I personally allow my 10yo to watch 12 rated films provided i watch them along with her & i probably wouldn't be bothered if the school showed this, as my dd is mature for her age.

But Yanbu to be angry as schools are disallowed from showing films that are above the age rating of anyone in that particular class and some 10yos are still very young and may not be emotionally old enough to view it.

It's purely a parenting decision, not one a school should be making!

My kids loved it and they are 10 & 11.
It was a bit too boring for me.