Programme 1: School's Out

Suggestions for use in the classroom

Much will depend on the context in which the programme is being used, work undertaken previously, the ethos of the school, and where individual schools are in their thinking in relation to the issues raised by the drama.

The views of young people, reported in the online extra for this series, suggest that at present, schools are not generally considered safe environments in which to discuss gay issues in much depth.

At the same time there is an expressed need for information, education and informed discussion, all of which are essential if attitudes towards homosexuality are to change in our society.

The important thing is to provide an appropriate learning opportunity for individual classes that doesn’t duck the issues, contribute to hype, or leave any class member or teacher exposed or vulnerable, either in school or out. As with all good practice in discussing sensitive issues, ground rules should be agreed before beginning.

Having considered the above teachers may chose to use the programme in one or more of the following ways:

• View in small groups.

• View in single sex groups.

• Allow young people themselves to use the video as part of research into the issues.

• View in the context of a visit from a someone working in the field in the community.

• View the drama as it unfolds discussing the motivation and behaviour of individual characters, issues around peer pressure, why Jake is having such a difficult time, things which might have improved the situation, the role of girls in the drama etc. Discussing the issues through the characters and plot potentially provides a safety net for everyone.

• Incorporate into a wider programme looking at social justice, equal opportunities, discrimination, inclusion, bullying etc.

• View entire drama with whole class, allow for private reflection and make reference to themes and incidents in other lessons and aspects of school life as they arise.

Some activities for use before and after viewing are suggested in the online extra. Teachers will have to consider if these are useful or appropriate both in relation to what has been said above, and the knowledge of individual classes.