Programme 2: Friends and Lovers

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 choose to use the programme in one or more of the following ways:

• View parts of programme in small groups.

• View parts of programme in single sex groups.

• Make the programme available as a general resource for life and work in the school.

• Allow young people themselves to use the video as part of research into the issues. Individual groups could each view one of the diaries, discuss among themselves and report back.

• View in the context of a visit from someone working in the field in the community. This could involve viewing the film and preparing a list of questions for the visitor.

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

• While the programme is not intended to be viewed in its entirety at one sitting, it may be useful in some situations to do this, and either follow with some general points or allow for private reflection. You might then want to refer later to issues and themes, as they arise in other lessons or aspects of school life.

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.