Saving Private Ryan?

So what is Film Club? Put simply, membership ensures that a school can have all the help it needs to establish and promote a film club that has access to a huge DVD library of famous and outstanding films. Following a hugely successful pilot last year, Film Club has secured funding from the government to reach 1,000 schools over the next 12 months and 7,000 over the next three years. So if you want to add an extra dimension to your school, visit the website.

The schools that have taken part in the pilot swear by it, as they have seen youngsters challenged and inspired to discuss topics ranging from race, politics and religion to the environment, war and other global issues - as well as anything you can imagine in-between. It is perhaps salutary that teachers say it provides an opportunity to “get to know my students better” and vice versa, but we all know how hectic school can be, so something that can improve communication and empathy is gold dust.

I think this could be a great opportunity for schools workers to get involved. A film club would make a useful addition to an extended schools programme and, given the range of films available, there’s enormous opportunity to create a real engagement and debate around important issues.