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School on Film

Sing Street
Sing Street
Sing Street © LIONSGATE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

School years are formative and critical for many reasons, not least of all in setting us on our way to acquiring knowledge and creating a love of learning. Each of the films on this list explores at least one interesting angle of school life, whether it be inspirational teachers, the value of education, friendships, anti-bullying or something equally valuable and positive.

 

Their They're There
Available to stream on Into Film+

CertUnclassified

Age group12–16

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.

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Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie
Available to stream on Into Film+

CertU

Age group5–12

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.

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Inside Out
Available to stream on Into Film+

CertU

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.

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Matilda
Available to stream on Into Film+

CertPG

Age group8–15

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.

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Available to stream on Into Film+ Premium

CertPG

Age group8–15

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.

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Nativity!

CertU

Age group8–15

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.

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Eighth Grade
Available to stream on Into Film+

Cert15

Age group16+

Duration94 mins

Eighth Grade(2018)

A 13 year-old girl endures her final week of eighth grade, navigating the perilous world of social media and the end of middle school.

School can be an awkward and almost excruciating stage to learn more about yourself. This comedy follows Kayla after she is awarded ‘Most Quiet’ by her classmates and aspires to better herself by the start of ninth grade. Exploring the pressures of social media on school life, this is a thoughtful and genuine look at the trials and tribulations of growing up.

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Être et Avoir (To Be and to Have)

CertU

Age group12+

Duration100 mins

Être et Avoir (To Be and to Have)(2002)

Heartwarming documentary looking at a small town school in France.

This French-language documentary focuses in on the start of the educational journey. The school in question comprises of just thirteen students, ranging from ages 4 to 12, and the film follows their schoolwork, homework and life outside the classroom. Inspirational teacher Georges Lopez is a clear role model and gets the youngsters excited about learning from a young age.

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La cour de Babel (School of Babel)

CertPG

Age group12+

Duration84 mins

La cour de Babel (School of Babel)(2014)

Insightful documentary following immigrant children in France as they learn to speak French in a special class in Paris.

Another French-language documentary, School of Babel shows us an older age-range – between 11 and 15 – attempting to learn the native language. The children are from countries all over the world – Ukraine, Ireland, Venezuela, Libya, Senegal, etc. – and must overcome difficulties in their lives to achieve their goals across the year and beyond.

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Sing Street
Available to stream on Into Film+

Cert12

Age group12+

Duration106 mins

Sing Street(2016)

Forced to change schools and fed up of hearing his parents arguing, 15-year-old Conor forms a band to impress a mysterious older girl.

Set in 1980s Dublin, Conor decides to start a band with his new classmates and together they write and record a series of endearing pop songs about the trials and tribulations of growing up, citing the subjects they know best: school, family and young love.

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The Falling

Cert15

Age group16+

Duration100 mins

The Falling(2014)

In a strict English girls' school in the 1960s, a fainting outbreak occurs after the pupils are rocked by a tragedy.

Carol Morley’s beguiling tale of reality-gone-awry places the question of real vs. imaged more centrally. Previously known for documentaries, Morley’s first fiction feature captures a female insight into those seminal teenage years and the alien-like quality they often possess.

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Booksmart
Available to stream on Into Film+

Cert15

Age group16+

Duration102 mins

Booksmart(2019)

Two best friends who are about to graduate high school attempt to fit in four years of fun into one night.

Mainstream films often depict the stereotypes that can form in schools amongst students. This hilarious film sees two very studious best friends trying to prove that they are just as fun and rebellious as everyone else by going on a night out to celebrate their final day of high school. Amongst the chaos, the two learn about the value of their friendship and not judging others

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Viewing 6 of 13 films in list