Why use film as part of your teaching?
Film can be used as part of a cross-curricular programme of study to introduce learners of any age to key topics and themes in an accessible and age appropriate way.
Best practice tips
Make sure to check the BBFC age rating and content advice before screening any film, even for those rated U or PG!
If possible, make sure that you or another teacher has viewed the film in full beforehand, in order to make sure that you’re aware of all the issues the film contains. This will help you anticipate any safeguarding requirements that you may need to put in place in advance of a screening.
Check to see if your school or college has any policies relating to the screening of film or audio-visual material before using any in class.
Get parental consent prior to showing a film in class. This is particularly important for primary school settings, especially if the film is rated higher than a U. Download our consent form.
If using clips from online, remember that though the clip you’re using may not contain any material that you consider unsuitable for your class, the film itself may be rated much higher than you think, or contain content issues that are not age appropriate. We therefore recommend that you check the age rating and content advice of any film that you’re showing a clip from before showing it to your class.
For more information on ways to incorporate film into your lessons, and to access a suite of free classroom resources, check out our friends at Into Film.
