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Original poster

Would it bother you if school showed a movie with a rating above your child's age?

208 replies

Keremy · 10/01/2017 13:19

DC1 ended up in school in a mixed year group due to an event just before Christmas.

The children involved were year 8 to 10 so 12 to 15. The teacher was aware of the kids ages.

Dc1 had been asking to watch a film and as it was three years above their age range I refused. They have seen 12s at 11 and stuff so I'm not a total fuddy duddy but I think it is entirely dependent on the film.

Anyway dc came home saying they had watched this film and I have just checked with another parent and it is true.

OP posts:
Allthewaves · 10/01/2017 13:40

If my 8 yr old was watching a 15 at school I'd be very unhappy. Dc primary school are very strict until age 8 they were not allowed pg films then only selected film after.

Dc(5) had a meltdown at the good dinosaur - you never know how thy r going to react, his 3 year old brother was Hmm

HeadElf · 10/01/2017 13:42

What was the film OP?????

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 10/01/2017 13:42

Yes it would bother me especially if I had been asked for and refused consent.

Some films are given that rating due to a short section, others for a theme or consistent nudity/foul language or whatever.

Mostly I find that what was classified as 18 when I was a teen would barely merit a 15 now and so on. I think we have become culturally conditioned to violence in particular and it's being normalised at a 15 cert. Take the most recent Bond films for example. Casino Royals would not have gotten a 12a rating when we were kids.

steff13 · 10/01/2017 13:43

For me, it depends on the movie.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 10/01/2017 13:43

All that said, at my school they used to edit the "good bits" !

AndNowItsSeven · 10/01/2017 13:44

Some 15 films also have 12a versions couldtjat be the case here?

Newtssuitcase · 10/01/2017 13:45

DS1 (11) self policed in this situation. He was given a form for consent to watch The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. It never even made it's way home.

When I asked him why (after the event) he said that he didn't feel it was appropriate for him and why should he watch something so harrowing when he had already read the book in class and experienced the horror and emotion (which was a fair point I guess).

DS1 is old before his time.

TaurielTest · 10/01/2017 13:46

Yes it would bother me. Our (primary) school now seeks parental permission to show PG films, which is as it should be.

harderandharder2breathe · 10/01/2017 13:47

allthewaves Year 8, so age 12/13

It does depend on the film, and whether it was for educational purposes and supported with discussion in class, or an end of term treat.

NickyEds · 10/01/2017 13:47

It would depend on the film as to if I'd be happy letting a 12 year old watch a 15.

I would be furious if I had made the decision that they were not to watch it and the school decided to over ride me.

Soubriquet · 10/01/2017 13:50

I think it would depend on the film

Some films I think have too low guide

My dh seems to think that Jurassic Park is ok for a 3 year old to watch because it's a PG. Despite the fact she's frightened by Monsters Inc Hmm

eyebrowsonfleek · 10/01/2017 13:51

Did they watch the whole movie or just a bit? The bit that they watched might not be the 15 scenes.

Did your child ask to watch it knowing that it was going to be shown at school? For situations like this, they often ask for the parents to contact the teacher if they don't consent rather than asking for consent. Did he hide a letter from school?

Eevee77 · 10/01/2017 13:51

Fine with me. I have to trust the teachers that have a duty of care to my child. I doubt they would show anything inappropriate and I wouldn't base that on any age rating. They're just guidelines.

whattheactualflump · 10/01/2017 13:52

Totally depends on the film. For example I was happy to take my 7 year old to Fantastic Beasts, but I would not take him to Assassins Creed due to the storyline and gratuitous violence in the film, both 12a. I will let my 13 year old watch Growns Ups but not Ted due to the different nature of the content (both 15).

I research well though, check 'common sense media' and draw my own conclusions so letting them watch something at school without consent isn't great. What was the film?

MoonriseKingdom · 10/01/2017 13:54

I think schools should inform parents in advance and have a good reason for not following the ratings e.g. The Schindler list example given above. Whether I would be upset would really depend on the film and the child. Some older films were given 15 certs that would be 12a now. A 15 cert for e.g. Swearing wouldn't bother me as I would assume they had heard it all and worse at school.

FreshStartJanuary · 10/01/2017 13:55

The parent had said no. A teacher that went against that would be below the standards that I would be happy with.

BertrandRussell · 10/01/2017 13:56

I don't think it depends on the film when it's at school. At home, yes. But schools should stick to guidelines without specific permission not to. What was the film?

steppemum · 10/01/2017 13:57

To me it is totally irrelevant what the film is.

The school should not, on principle ever show a film to kids who are under the age rating, it is not their choice to make.

Ds is 14, twice his school has sent home a letter.
"In English/history/whatever we are goign to show the film XXX, because...... This is rated a 12 and as some of the boys are still 11, we are informing you in case you have an objection. If you are fine for your son to see the film, no need to reply. If you have a concern please email YYY at ....."

That way the school is covered. They have told you what and why and you have had the chance to opt out.

I repeat it DOES NOT MATTER what the film is, it is not the schools choice, and they do not have the right to make that choice for the kids.
Would it bother me - yes, because by not informing the parents, they are not following good practice, and by not giving me the chance to chose if ds watches it, they are undermining my parental role.

FreshStartJanuary · 10/01/2017 13:57

Newsuitcase you have a wise child.

Floggingmolly · 10/01/2017 13:58

Why won't you disclose the name of the film, op?

steppemum · 10/01/2017 14:00

sorry, that should say that a school shoudl not ever show a film to kids who are under the age rating without permission

ailPartout · 10/01/2017 14:01

I work in a school and trust the staff enough to judge the film shown. I wouldn't be hung up on the rating of the film as I think they're frequently wrong.

If you (OP) asked if I would let a 12 year old watch a specific film then I'd give you a specific answer. As it is, with the lack of information, I can't.

tooclosetocall · 10/01/2017 14:03

At home for just my DC it depends on the movie.
At school, they should stick to the age rating as some children are more sensitive than others. So unless every parent is contacted, informed and in agreement to the type of film shown, they should stick to the rating.

Keremy YANBU, you are the best judge of what is suitable for your own DC.

ailPartout · 10/01/2017 14:04

"That way the school is covered."

What do you mean by "covered" SteppMum?

"undermining my parental role"

I assume there was an educational benefit and therefore it has nothing to do with parental roles.

trulybadlydeeply · 10/01/2017 14:04

What was the reason for the film screening? Was it purely a fun event, or was it for educational purposes? It's really difficult to comment without knowing more, and without knowing which film. Ratings can be so varied, for example DS3 (7) has seen lots of 12A, but there are some PG which I consider unsuitable. Also, each child is different.

What did your DC say about the film - did he/she find it scary/shocking or anything?

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