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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

12 rated films in school. Is this allowed?

16 replies

Fredflintstonethefirst · 04/11/2019 08:13

DS is in a mixed year 5/6 class, so children are aged 9-11.
He has told me, on several occasions, that they have been allowed to watch 12 rated films in class.
He is known to exaggerate, and is at a Sen school, his take on things is not always accurate.
So before I question the school about this, I'd like to know, are they allowed to do this? I know at home the dvd ratings are just guidance and it's up to parents to police it, but would schools be allowed to make that choice without parents consent?

It could be that he has this all wrong, but I'm not happy if he is correct. We have constant battles over this at home and if the school are letting him watch them, it's really undermining our parenting.
He is 11, for context, but v immature, emotionally more like a 7 or 8 year old, which is why we don't want him to watch 12s.
Thanks

OP posts:

RebootYourEngine · 04/11/2019 08:16

Has he said what films they are so you can know whether he is telling the truth or not.

I wouldn't think that this would be allowed. Some schools are not even allowed to show PG films.

AmIThough · 04/11/2019 08:17

It could be 12A's which are ok as long as there is an adult watching with you (officially) but obviously the school should consider whether they're actually appropriate.

SarahTancredi · 04/11/2019 08:18

Were there consent forms at the beginning of the year on with the paperwork?
Having said that I take ratings with a pinch of salt these days. I've seen pgs and 12s with more inappropriate content than 15s and 18s

handmademitlove · 04/11/2019 08:18

If the film is being watched for educational reasons, as part of the curruculum work eg a particular topic then yes they are allowed, but most schools would still discuss it with parents. If it is an end of term thing then that is less clear.

Apolloanddaphne · 04/11/2019 08:20

I would ask the school what they are watching and what context (is it related to the work they are doing and carefully monitored and discussed).

handmademitlove · 04/11/2019 08:20

BBFC INFO here

Original poster

Fredflintstonethefirst · 04/11/2019 08:29

Not related to learning, just as Friday treats. It's a Sen school so a lot more reward time than mainstream schools.
I can't actually remember which ones he has said. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of film ratings, so if he says something is a 12, it most definitely is.

As PP said, the ratings are to be taken with a pinch of salt, as some 12 are more inappropriate than others. Which is exactly why I think parents should be the ones making the choice, not the teacher.

We have his EHCP annual review today, so I'll be asking about it then. But if he is correct, I'm not sure what action I can take if they are allowed to do this

OP posts:

maddy68 · 04/11/2019 08:30

Schools have permission to show films of different ratings for educational purposes

Original poster

Fredflintstonethefirst · 04/11/2019 08:31

Thanks for the link handmademitlove, that's a great help.

OP posts:

TeenPlusTwenties · 04/11/2019 08:33

Our primary wouldn't have done this.
At most they would have shown excerpts of non-12 bits for education. Otherwise everything strictly PG for juniors.

Actually y7 in Secondary wouldn't do it either. When they went on a trip to France at end of y7 they were allowed to bring DVDs for the coach journey, but nothing above a PG.

user1374384 · 04/11/2019 08:33

No I don't believe they can show them without your permission. There is actually no such rating as a 12 anymore, it is 12A, which does mean under 12's can see them with an adult but schools must have prior parental permission. I wouldn't be happy about this either.

Original poster

Fredflintstonethefirst · 04/11/2019 08:50

12 still exists for dvds.
Thanks everyone for you help, I feel more informed for the meeting now.

OP posts:

DryHeaving · 04/11/2019 08:54

The school would have to have parental permission to show pupils, most schools would avoid this as it's too much hassle, plus they would have to provide another activity for pupils that didn't have permission

rainbowconfetti · 04/11/2019 08:57

He has told me, on several occasions, that they have been allowed to watch 12 rated films in class.
He is known to exaggerate, and is at a Sen school, his take on things is not always accurate.

He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of film ratings, so if he says something is a 12, it most definitely is.

These are contradictory.

I try not to worry about rating so much as content tbh, I think you need to speak to school for details though.

Original poster

Fredflintstonethefirst · 04/11/2019 09:06

Ok, when I say 'not always accurate' I kind of meant 'doesnt always tell the truth' Sorry for the euphemism!

OP posts:

Toddlersaresuchadelight · 04/11/2019 12:33

I'm a teacher and, on occasion, we have shown clips of 12 rated films for educational purposes (clips of Sharpe when studying the Napoleonic war, for example). However, we always sent a note out to parents to let them know we'd be doing this and we vetted the clips carefully to ensure the content was appropriate.
I think a word with the school to clarify would be a good idea. Although I'm sure your son is always very accurate, sometimes children report things out of context and they can seem worse to parents than they are. If definitely check at his ehcp review to find out what's actually happening.

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