The more I think about it, the more I think I’m not normal. Last day of term, what would a normal teacher do? Put on a DVD and enjoy it. How much thought goes into the choice of film? Probably very little, maybe a vote from the kids and you’re done. Me? Oh no, that would be too easy.
As PPA cover I offered to supervise Year 5-6 while they watched their end of term video. I would sit there with a netbook, do my work, they’d enjoy themselves and everyone’s happy, but I did say I wanted a decent film rather than some of the potentially awful kids films out there. So we began to look through the possibilities and people said, it must be a U film. But why?
I asked on Twitter to see if anyone knew why we were not allowed to show PG films. After all, the BBFC say this of PG films:
Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.
So they can watch unaccompanied in a cinema or hire it from Blockbuster (do people still do that?) but it seems not with me in the room unless I ask parents first?
People’s responses on Twitter were varied and included:
- We send a letter out to ask for parents permission before showing a PG
- You’re in Loco Parentis, so you can make the decision
- No, it must be a U film – parents aren’t there
Is it written down anywhere that we can/can’t show a PG? Surely with teacher’s professional judgement we can do this without writing to parents first? Is it one of those things like ‘no competitive sports’ and ‘banning video cameras at the nativity’ that everyone takes as gospel but isn’t actuallya rule anywhere at all? Some people had very firm views but noone could back it up with proper guidance. It’s just the way it is. @kvnmcl found this that helps a bit.
After discussing it with the head, we decided we could watch a PG so I set about using the excellent parent guides on IMDB and found Home Alone and Elf were out due to language.
In the end we went for a U film, Spy Kids 2, and had audible shock from the children when the main spy girl, Carmen, said ‘sh*t’ half-way through!!! Admittedly she did say “Shitake mushrooms” but she pronounced the first bit much clearer, you can’t win can you?
On another note, one very interesting point that was raised by @dgilmour was whether we were allowed to show any film for entertainment rather than education. He pointed me to this website, that says we probably wouldn’t be covered legally to show a film to amuse the children. Here in Hampshire schools have an ERA license which is paid for by county. I was told, but never checked, that this covers us for showing films in school. This site says a PVS license is needed and it appears for our size school that it’s about £150 a year.
So, does your school have a license? Does the school deal with it or is it done through the LA? Is it something that only management need to worry about? Am I weird for even thinking about all this stuff? Surely I should just chuck any DVD on and be happy with it?
I think next year we’ll just let them bring games in (not electronic of course, there are rules)
I think as a parent it’s easier for me to make these decisions. I show PG films to Year 5 and 6, on Friday we watched Alice in Wonderland and I’ve shown lots of other PG films over the years, but they’re usually films I borrow off my own children that I have watched with them. If I know the films and am happy letting my own 7 year old watch them at home I see nothing wrong with sharing them at school. I probably wouldn’t show my class a PG film I hadn’t watched myself first.
My school does have a PVS license and runs Filmclub. The Filmclub guys were really clear: it’s illegal to to sell films to children who are under-age; there is no law about parents or schools showing PGs, 12s or 15s to children.
So we keep our parents in the loop and get screening… (pop-corn maker arriving in the New Year)
We were watching a DVD on the last day, but I had to get the school newspaper folded and given out to classes so I took the newspaper club out to the DT room and said anyone who didn’t want to watch the film could come too. We had a great time – about 6 kids had some toy beetles from a game they had brought and spent hours making them clothes, food from torn up scrap paper, and actually made a brilliant animation with them using a camera they had brought in! There was a time machine involved and all sorts. Was lovely to see kids playing together and using their imaginations. Much better than sitting in a hot room watching a DVD I reckon!
Totally agree, but as PPA teacher I didn’t really have a say…DVD is the easy option of course
Good LA site for overall info. Schools need to ask at their LA to find out if blanket licenses are purchased. Yet another thing that Academy status schools may lose?
Oops site is http://www.torbay.gov.uk/schools-copyright-licenses
I dealt with this a few years ago for a local school. Basically the law states that fairness must apply. Schools should do everything they can to follow the letter of the law however the law applies fairness in cases such as this.
Copyright holding and the notion of copyright is deeply unpopular so it is unlikely anyone will grill you for making a minor mistake such as this.
The courts would look at the benefit of a child’s well being and education VS the copyright holders requirement of making £ and protecting their copyright in Educational institutions.
Summary: Don’t worry about it unless you feel that enforcing copyright is a concept you want to take into the future. Everyone purchase to a copyright enforcer is more flames on the fire imho. You are allowed an opinion, use it. The law is grey. If you want to seek legal advice on IP or copyright issues contact Jane Lambert at Nipclaw – http://twitter.com/nipclaw
Steve Philp got the same info as I did from Film Club… you can show what you are comfortable with/ I then advertise up and coming films with parents . If you join Film Club and do not currently have a licence they pay for one ! It’s a good deal and free.