AIBU about school showing this movie

[TGISummer]

DD is in Y8. Yesterday she came home upset saying that her class had watched a horror movie...she can be a bit of a drama llama so asked her what the film was:

The Purge.

BBFC/UK - Rated 15 (strong language, bloody violence).

She's just turned 13. Came home and told my younger DD and DS various graphic details. I asked her why she didn't say anything...she did, the rest of the class said it was fine and she should shut up.

I phoned head of year and (politely) asked why would you do that??!! She seemed surprised and said will get Teacher to call and explain. Felt a bit fobbed off but thought ok, will see what he says. No phone call from Teacher.

DD came home today, they watched another film:

Paranormal activity. Another rating of 15.

Seriously??!!!

I know it's just end of term movie watching but what would you do?

You are not being unreasonable at all.
Why on earth is the school showing horror movies to youngsters?

YANBU- what teacher thinks this is acceptable?
Quite a while ago now but when we were 14ish we watched nightmare on elm street at school. I had nightmares for weeks and haven't been able to watch it since (despite being more than twice passed the age limit).

Disgraceful.
Not a fan of horror films myself, but imagine being a teenager and then having to ask to leave because you don't like it, not many would be brave enough to do that and it's horrible for her to have to sit through it.

Utterly irresponsible and unnecessary film choice.

Complain to the head now that the HOY has fobbed you off.

I'm usually VERY relaxed about such things with my kids, but - no a million times no, not appropriate and certainly not for young people who do not want to watch violent, horrible films.

This isn't acceptable.
School should not be showing a film rated 15 to 13 year olds, unless it is for example a historical film demonstrating historical points.rate
Also I agree with the poster who said why are students watching films instead of being taught lessons.
I don't find it acceptable in this day and age when schools fine parents for taking children on term time holidays, to simply sit students infront of a screen watching films.

I was already to come on here and say YABU, but after reading your post YANBU and I am a massive lover of horror films, but not everyone can handle them and 15 rated horror films tend to be scarier than 18 rated films.

I'm in Au where there are very strict federal laws about what films can be shown to which age groups. My school's approach is that every film has to have its educational justification made clear, and be signed off by the Principal, then agreed by each individual parent. What this means is a list at the start of the year, it works well and it's rare for parent to withdraw a child.

The upshot of this is that end of term fillers don't exist.

Oh, and those films are entirely unsuitable. The teacher had very questionable judgement.

When my DD was in Year 7, her class watched a film relating to the book they had read in class. Something like War Horse (but not that, can't remember which) and it was rated a 12. All the DC who weren't 12 had to go and read by themselves in the library. My DD was 12 at the time, I don't know if the parents of DC who weren't were asked to consent in advance.
Anyway, I don't think DC should be shown age inappropriate fils in school. You as a parent might be quite lax about film guidelines (I am myself) but it isn't up to the school to make those decisions on your behalf.
The teacher had the opportunity to ring you, and chose not to. You have tried the HOY without success. So my next port of call would be the Head.

That sounds like a good policy, echt.

Not all teachers show films, but a lot at my school do, I have never done so in 9 years except when told to as part of a PSHE lesson - snippets to discuss something.

Completely agree unsuitable films and HoY should have done more. Was it the same teacher showing film today or a different one. Agree with others if I did would go for something tame!

Although in the last two weeks I have had endless requests from the students to watch films, so a lot of it can come from the students as well. I ignore and make them subject related activities till the end!

I would be sending a very strongly worded email about this to the head of year, copying in the head, the deputy and the chair of governors.
This is in no way acceptable.
Cinemas are not legally allowed to admit a 13 year old into a 15 rated film, so I’m appalled that a teacher in school deemed this appropriate.

Totally inappropriate to show this type of film at all, people (me!) can have nightmares for ages after watching them.

I can't bear the lazy end of term film watching, and I'm a teacher.

That’s an awful film to show in school!

I agree with other posters- email head of year, head teacher and head of governors. Totally innapropriate films AND breaking the law to show them without parental consent.
Just had the same problem with an inappropriate end of year film at DDs primary school. Sometimes, I despair at the behaviour and decision making of teachers.

Regardless of what classification the BFI give the Purge (1) or the current Purge film out having watched them (nobody under 18 should view what is very distasteful content ) Sixth formers should not be watching this, never mind year 8 !

What 'planet' is a teacher on putting on a film that shows 'glorifies' people being stabbed , in a environment where over 70 children have lost their lives in London this year !

A teacher that thinks that is appropriate viewing for any school has no place in any educational establishment. (the film has no academic merit) it is gratuitous violence with no plot or meaning !

To think Clockwork Orange was banned for twenty years ( a film that actually has academic merit and a plot ).

Thanks. Thought that maybe I was being a bit sensitive and unreasonable to complain...today was actually a different teacher which actually worries me even more. I'd told them I wasn't happy and they did it again, really shows a shocking lack of judgement.

I haven't plucked up the courage to watch any of the paranormal films! I'd go ape shit if my ds came home saying he'd watched either of those films let alone both!

I've seen The Purge. It's not child-friendly. I don't understand why anyone would have screened it to 13-year-olds. Complain - serious lapse in judgement.

I can't cope with any supernatural horror even as an adult

And purge is really interesting and disturbing movie but def a minimum of 15

Email the head.

Interestingly the teachers aren't breaking any laws here:

www.bbfc.co.uk/education-resources/teacher-guide/teacher-faqs

My DS is in Y8 and his school manages to send home messages (on parentmail) stating that they will be watching films, with reasons 9which range from curriculum to I cba with any more teaching"treat") & ratings in advance to allow for alternative arrangements if necessary.

I think with one the teacher needs a telling off, with the second he needs a hard slap. Very inappropriate