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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Showing PG films to Year 1

35 replies

dvdaze · 03/12/2010 20:47

Our school has informed us that they will be showing PG DVDs to our Year 1 children. I'm not sure what I think about this really. I tend to pick U-rated films for my scaredy cat on the whole. What do you all think?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

misdee · 03/12/2010 20:47

dfepends on the fiilm and content.

dd3 has seen many pg films.

BelleDeChocChipCookieMonster · 03/12/2010 20:48

There's nothing wrong with them. Do you not allow your child to watch a PG film?

tribpot · 03/12/2010 20:50

I think it really depends on the film. My ds has seen bits of 12-rated Harry Potter films and is frankly just not that interested in them, but loves the earlier ones (to the point we have a cat called Harry Potter even though she's female).

Presumably the PG tag will be respected, i.e. parental permission will be sought?

BooBooGlass · 03/12/2010 20:50

Depends on the film. My 6yo has watched films rated all sorts. Not gore or anything, but she's a big Rocky Horror fan and Little Shop of horrors, which are 15s iirc. I'm a terrible mother.

WilfShelf · 03/12/2010 20:52

I would insist on knowing the film. I think Percy JAckson was a PG, and DS2 (6) would have FREAKED at it...

YourCallIsImportant · 03/12/2010 20:53

I just took DCs 7 & 4 to see Megamind, which I didn't notice was a PG till we sat down in the cinema. There was nothing in it that I wasn't happy about them watching.

Why don't you talk to the school about it?

littleducks · 03/12/2010 20:54

I would be unhappy at being 'informed' IMO PG- means parental guidance not teachers guidance, i think the school should stick to U rated things or seek express permission for named films if it educationally important

MentalFloss · 03/12/2010 20:56

As a primary school teacher I wouldn't because I couldn't be 100% sure what scared each child, if they'd ever seen anything like it before etc.

However as a parent, my DD2 4 often watched PG films.

So I would say no.

onimolap · 03/12/2010 20:56

PG films are passed as suitable for all, but may have some scenes which might upset younger viewers, hence "parental guidance": teachers are in effect in loco parentis during school hours.

Unless you have reason to doubt your teacher's experience or judgement, I'd be inclined to let them get on with it.

Do you know what films they are considering?

NoahAndTheWhale · 03/12/2010 20:56

How often do they watch films at school?

amistillsexy · 03/12/2010 20:57

I don't agree with them doing this. The rating is there for a reason, imo.
At least your school lets you know so you can decide for yourself.

At my DS's son's (ex) school and after school club, he watched allsorts that I wouldn't have let him watch if I'd have known. And yes, they did affect him and he did bring home the violence (has asd and copies everything!). He has also had nightmares from some things.

I think it depends what it is and why it's being shown. If it's something you'd watch at home, then OK, but if not, you need to let them know you're not happy.

Original poster

dvdaze · 03/12/2010 21:02

They haven't told us what films they are planning to show, and I think it's more of a pre-Christmas treat than something of educational value.

OP posts:

amistillsexy · 03/12/2010 21:02

Sorry. Just realised I changed my mind halfway through my last post. It's been a long, long week! .
No, I don't think school should even ask. It's not a position you should be put into, to make the decision whether to let it pass or take your child out of class. It's not right. Going to bed now!

mrz · 03/12/2010 21:07

Toy Story is a PG
Wallace and Grommet has a PG rating so has Cars
it does really depend on the film
I took my class to see How to Train Your Dragon which is PG

PoppetUK · 03/12/2010 21:07

Most PG's wouldn't bother me. My kids were over a friends house when we were in Australia (most kids there seemed to be watching far older content in any case) and they saw a little bit of Spiderman. I wasn't keen on it.

I think I would be ok with carefully chosen movies. I would say that I think some teachers often have great ways of explaining things to little ones so would probably answer any queries / upset better than I could!!!

Seeking permission would probably be a good thing to do.

TmiEdward · 03/12/2010 21:13

At my school will only show U rated films.
A permission slip goes home if we want to show a PG, detailing the films involved. I'll only show a PG film if every parent has agreed to it.

I run the after-school film club too, but there I have sent out a letter with the sign up sheet stating that films will be U or PG. Parents have to trust my judgement.

gabid · 03/12/2010 21:16

I would say it depends on the film - as a Christmas treat. I would be concerned if they were planning to show films (plural) as they are not going to school to stare at a screen. Can't they do games or anything Xmas themed instead?

onimolap · 03/12/2010 21:22

Poppet: Spiderman was a 12, and there was quite a body of opinion that it should have been a 15.

If this is a Christmas treat for 6yr olds, I bet it'll be "How to Train Your Dragon" (some fight scenes, but tension v quickly dispelled, brilliantly uplifing ending).

SingleDadio · 03/12/2010 21:30

There is conflicting guidance on this. Teachers used to be considered 'In Locoparentis' (sp?) and therefore are able to make these decisions regarding PG and actually didn't have to consult parents. Not sure of the actual law but this is guidance from my old LA. To be honest, I don't generally watch films in the lessons I teach anymore so don't really know current guidance.

Goblinchild · 03/12/2010 21:36

We have the same guidelines as TmiEdward.

mrz · 03/12/2010 21:49

The school has informed parents they intend to show PG films I assume to provide the opportunity for anyone who wishes to object otherwise they could have just done it without saying anything.

cuppatino · 03/12/2010 22:02

We have to ask permission from parents to show a PG. Don't usually bother unless it's a specific film related to literacy.

Runoutofideas · 03/12/2010 22:04

I wouldn't be happy - mainly because my ultra sensitive dd1 (Yr1) finds things to be scared of in U films! They were watching "A bug's life" I think at the end of last half term and she was hiding behing the teacher's knees. My 3 yr old, on the other hand, is much tougher and I'm sure would happily cope.

Hulababy · 03/12/2010 22:05

We showed The Snowman - I was very suprised to see it had a PG rating on the DVD box. We hadn't asked for parental permission as had asuumed it was a U.

ragged · 04/12/2010 09:55

I don't mind if school uses its discretion about PG films. DC (almost 4 & nearly 6) were terrified by the Incredibles (which admittedly is a PG, too). Most people are amazed when I tell them that. Some kids are going to find even the U rating films upsetting, anyway.

DC school shows films at the end of term, using the flicks as babysitters getting the children out of the way whilst the classrooms are cleared out in anticipation for the next term (big bags of stuff to come home with DC on last day). I guess DC typically see 1 complete film and most of another during this period; end of summer term is the worst for it (they might see 2.5-3 movies then).

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