To think this is a bit too graphic for Y7

[LikeARockhopper]

DD history class shown this clip.

They're Y7 so 11-12 yrs old. I'm after a sanity check really as I can be over protective. DD said it made her and her friend feel sick and she found it upsetting. I have asked teacher and he says it was to show religious persecution and how films are not always historically accurate.

AIBU to think Y7 shouldn't be shown a graphic clip from a 15 film in class?

To those commenting that you should wait until they're in year 10 - that is gcse, not all will do history, if you're going to study the reformation (as all should) it has to happen in year 7-8. Sadly the gcse is now often 3 years so starts in year 9. All the big and 'upsetting' topics eg holocaust have to happen in year 7-8. Not ideal - not what I want. Blame the new exams. I would use this clip. People were burnt at the stake. It was horrific. There's a written source from the book of martyrs that talks about Cranmer(? I think) burning in horrific detail (though I do only use that with sixth formers).

There are inaccuracies in the film but I doubt that was the point in this section (that's more about the dreadful portrayal of poor, much maligned Mary I).

Though if this is supposed to be Latimer and Ridley I don't think there was a third person with them and iirc they had bags of gunpowder tied round their necks.

I don't think it's graphic at all.

Does something have to show blood, guts and gore to be deemed distressing though? I don't think it does. In this instance the suffering shown is distressing enough. But that imho. Others are free to disagree and have.

I watched that expecting something really horrific. I'm awful with graphic content as I have PTSD and was horrified at what they might have shown.

I didn't find it at all graphic, sorry.

Totally agree with magic that things don't have to be graphic to be distressing - this is distressing. But that's the point - it's an awful thing! I've found this thread really helpful as I think when you see stuff all the time you get used to it, it's good to be reminded how it can seem to fresh year 7 eyes.

Ack. I think the teacher could have tried painting a picture with words, and sharing primary sources. Popping a youtube on seems a bit lazy. Maybe they did all of this, who knows. But if I want to explain something really well, and assess, and give students a chance to work on something themselves there often isn't time to put a video clip on as well.

There's no way around the fact that Y7s need to know about distressing stuff but they don't need to see cinematic depictions in order to achieve that.

I also have a 11/12 year old and agree its not appropriate for that age group. Yes if you look at it from an adults eyes its not graphic - but distressing for a child. I don't get the benefit of showing it - a simple description of they were burned at the stake is enough!

This is why teachers are over worked... too busy having to deal with wingey parents complaints. I hope your daughter is always in bed before the watershed.

History is pretty brutal all round. When is good for children to start learning about it?

At the start of Year 7 - and at this point in the year they may have only seen their history teacher 6 times - no I wouldn't. I think there is a place for showing clips that are challenging and might be distressing in certain circumstances, but not to new year 7s, many of whom won't yet have the confidence to say if they find something upsetting. First half term Year 7 are just finding their feet. You want to engage them and build their confidence, not send them running home in tears.

YANBU. I had a similar issue when DD was shown a clip of a 15 film about slavery when she was in Year 7. I admit I was horrified about the whole thing (she tried to leave the class and the teacher stopped her until another boy stood up for her and told the teacher to move out of her way) and took the teacher to task.
Since then the school has implemented a system where we get slips of any films more than a 12 and we have to sign our acceptance.

I wouldn’t watch that and I’m an adult. It’s completely unnecessary to show a burning to 12 year olds. No wonder kids are miserable & stressed.

Thankfully my ds (yr 6) closes his eyes and sticks his fingers in his ears if he finds anything unpleasant.

Value opinions on both sides so thanks for all the replies. Maybe graphic isn't the right word but I think it is distressing. Not massively so for me, but through a child's eyes, particularly a sensitive one.
As DD is only 11 she wouldn't be watching tv past the watershed! And in any case, that's a judgement for me to make as a parent. I know her really well!
I think in this case, perhaps a little bit of shortcut teaching has lead to a whingey parent! I don't think a 2 sentence email explaining the teacher's reasoning on this one occasion is a massive ask.
Thanks again all.

I do not think that is appropriate for year 7. Sometimes reading a passage from an eye witness to an atrocity is more powerful.

But it isn't graphic. As I a teacher I never consulted parents first. I made a professional decision

I have 2 teens, they go to 2 different schools.
In both schools if they are to be shown anything, even a clip, or a film that os over their age classification, then an email is sent to parents, worded something like:

as part of history we will be showing a clip of xxx film, rated a 15, we feel this clip is appropriate because it is a vivid illustration of the issue.
If you have any concerns, or would like to see the clip, please email.

That way, school has asked, parents have opportunity to complain etc.

In reality, I would never complain, and I am mean about classifications at home.

I don;t think the clip is overly graphic. I think it is shocking, yes, but then so is the history it portrays.

I'm a teacher, head of dept, teach RS and History. At this stage of the academic year I would defo not be showing Year 7, would also query showing to Year 8. Whilst sources are used that describe such scenes, they are very much in the abstract for most students. This is so visual it will have too much of an impact. I have also refused to show graphic footage of kosher animal killing within an otherwise relevant documentary, but have never had a problem showing the opening of Life of Brian as a gateway to understanding the birth narrative of Jesus in Year 7.