School on Film

CertUnclassified

Age group11–16

Duration4 mins

Their They're There(2018)

A teenage boy who struggles with exams questions the merits of the education system.

Through a poetic monologue, a teenager expresses his frustrations with the education system. Through a mix of animation and live-action, this short film ponders whether the current exam and marking system is inclusive of different approaches to learning and if there is any way to make school fair for all kinds of pupils.

Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie

Cert

Age group5–11

Duration74 mins

Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie(2015)

Much-loved Charlie Brown attempts to navigate school life and falls in love with the new girl as Snoopy embarks upon an adventure of his own.

The enchanting Peanuts gang pass from one generation of cinema-goers to another, with Charlie Brown and company returning to the big screen for further everyday adventures. The film revolves around school life – from a class test to a talent show – with every aspect reminding us of the joy of being young and carefree, and how school can shape our personality.

Cert

Age group5–16

Duration102 mins

Inside Out(2015)

Animated adventure about the five dominant emotions inside an 11 year-old girl’s head, as she struggles to come to terms with moving home.

Another story that puts school at its centre is Pixar’s brilliant journey inside the head of an eleven-year-old girl called Riley. In this film, we see events from the point of view of the new girl. It places the importance of a warm and welcoming school environment at the forefront of the narrative, and shows us the level of impact that adjustment issues can create.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration98 mins

Matilda(1996)

Adaptation of the popular Roald Dahl book about a girl with sunny self-reliance and special powers who attends a school with a bullying headmistress.

Conversely, the classic Roald Dahl novel Matilda follows the eponymous protagonist who continuously comes up against adversity. Yet Matilda’s sunny disposition allows her to overcome all challengers, using both her personality and powers for good.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration146 mins

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone(2001)

Harry Potter attends Hogwarts school for the first time as rumours surface proclaiming the return of the darkest wizard of them all, Lord Voldemort.

Another film with more than a hint of magic in the air is the first in the incredibly popular franchise from author J. K. Rowling. The Philosopher’s Stone sees Harry transported from his familiar surroundings to the grandiose world of Hogwarts where he must choose his friends wisely, trust his instincts and learn from those around him.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration101 mins

Nativity!(2009)

Big-hearted and cheerfully silly British comedy about the trials and tribulations of directing a school nativity play.

Harry Potter is always a festive treat, and Nativity! explores one of our favourite Christmas traditions. This is a very British take on the annual nativity play, capturing the event’s inevitable mayhem with a semi-improvised script. Mr. Maddens must negotiate everything going wrong at the last minute as Hollywood come to town in this pleasing comedy all about performance.

Cert

Age group7–16

Duration105 mins

School of Rock(2003)

Vibrant, uplifting comedy in which an unemployed rock guitarist is faced with needing to get a job, and masquerades as a supply teacher.

Continuing with the theme of musical madness, School of Rock brings with it Jack Black’s infectious enthusiasm for all things music. Substitute teacher Dewey Finn strives to turn the kids of a strict private school onto rock music, harnessing the various talents of the entire class in the process of doing so.

CertUnclassified

Age group7–14

Duration6 mins

Louis' Shoes(2020)

An autistic eight-year-old boy introduces himself to his new school class.

Creatively told through the eyes of an eight-year old autistic boy as he introduces himself to his new classmates, this animated short depicts school life from a perspective not usually seen on screen, with its fun animated style allowing the audience to see another view of the world.

Cert

Age group5–11

Duration99 mins

Monsters University(2012)

Pixar's prequel to the wonderful Monsters Inc, which takes us back to Mike and Sully's first meeting at university.

A different kind of competition is at play here. One-eyed Mike and furry Sulley weren’t always the best of friends as this sporty prequel shows. Underlining the fickleness of first impressions, Monsters University pits the two would-be friends against each other as they repeatedly clash in their younger years, constantly attempting to out-scare each other.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration113 mins

Wonder(2017)

A young boy born with facial differences begins attending school for the first time.

School can be a place where children and young people learn about community and discover the need to accept others as they are. In Wonder, Auggie is a young boy with rare facial differences who is joining school for the first time. There he realises he is not so different after all and learns, alongside other students, about compassion and empathy.

Cert

Age group7–16

Duration92 mins

From Up On Poppy Hill(2011)

A beautiful animation about a group of teens trying to save their beloved clubhouse from demolition, set around the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.

From games to the Olympic Games as Studio Ghibli’s historical drama is set in the build-up to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. A group of teens look to save their school’s clubhouse from demolition in this sweet melodrama, emphasising the value of extracurricular activities in education.

Cert

Age group7+

Duration114 mins

Goodbye Mr Chips(1939)

An ageing headmaster reflects on his almost 60-year career at a boys' boarding school in this unashamedly sentimental British classic.

Also set in the 1960s and a fitting swansong, this black-and-white British classic from 1939 follows the fond memories of a headmaster of a boys’ school. Known affectionately as Mr. Chips, he reflects on his near 60-year teaching career. An unashamedly sentimental look at a bygone era, the film allows for comparison in teaching and educational practices to the modern day.