Questions:

• Until what age were you considered a child?
• What tone is the film trying to set? Is the narrator making a judgment on the children?
• What do you think the boys have done?
• Do you think the outcomes are going to help the boys?
• What do they say every child needs and do you agree with this?
• Why do you think the filmmaker chose to focus on boys?
• This film was made in 1944 during the Second World War – why do you think it was made?
• Why were approved schools located in the countryside?
• What kinds of problems did the children in the film have and how do you think this would effect modern behaviour.
• How do you think things have differed between then and now?
• Why does the boy need a father figure?
• How important do you think youth clubs were?
• Why don’t you have them anymore?

Activities:

History / Modern Studies / English / Media Studies: Create a piece of writing/drama/film from the perspective of one of the children. Revisit the boys a year later – what has happened. Research how these boys would be treated now. How much has changed? Is it for the better – explain your answers. What kinds of needs does the first boy need to help him.

Media Studies: Storyboard the camera shots used in a particular sequence to see how the film tells its story.

Modern Studies / Media Studies: Research what organisations would help the boys today and find out what clubs are in your local area. Create a presentation to present your findings.

English: Debate – Robbie’s criminal behaviour is said to be because he has nothing to occupy him. Discuss how this could be improved.

Media Studies: How accurate do you think this is as presentation of an approved school? Films like “Scum” portray this in a different light.

Record details

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