This lesson uses Village of the Damned (1960) and Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) to analyse, compare and contrast the reflection of historical context in mid-century film. Both films could be seen to address anxiety that the solidity of British and American post-war life might be overturned, using the metaphor of alien invasion. This project is suitable for English lessons incorporating media to teach analysis of social and historical context, and may also be useful for History schemes of work on the Cold War, as a starting point for how culture responds to international threat.

An Art or creative History lesson for key stage 1 students that uses the early silent film Mister Moon (1901).

BFI Education presents ‘Gothic in the classroom’ – new resources to accompany 13 Gothic film titles. This collection of resources and lesson ideas has been created by teachers for a range of subject areas from English to Art to Science. This lesson is designed to be relevant to KS4/5 history students studying Germany in early 20th Century.

A five-lesson scheme of work for Media Studies students at Key Stage 5 that looks at how the representation of black British life on TV has evolved since the 1960s to the present day. This scheme of work focuses on black representation on British TV from popular series like Desmond’s to lesser-known TV plays such as the provocative, Fable (1965). These lessons are designed for use with Media Studies students at Key Stage 5 and have the new 2016 specifications in mind. Many of the works discussed are available to watch for free in BFI Mediatheques. Clips are also available as via BFI Screenonline, although due to our agreements with rightsholders, access to Screenonline’s moving image material is only permitted within UK schools, colleges, universities and public libraries that have already registered with us. We regret that we are no longer able to offer registration to new users. Learning objectives include: Understanding how black communities have been represented on television historically; Applying this understanding in order to engage in productive debate; Analysing key media texts critically; Evaluating the social and political impact of representation of key groups within the media.

BFI Education presents ‘Gothic in the classroom’ – new resources to accompany 13 Gothic film titles. This collection of resources and lesson ideas has been created by teachers for a range of subject areas from English to Art to Science. This lesson is designed to be relevant to KS4/5 history students studying Germany in early 20th Century.

A lesson for English and other subjects at key stages 3 to 5 which uses the film Attack the Block (2011) to explore social structures, and the question of ‘who is to blame’ for an imagined crime. The lesson engages students’ critical thinking skills as well as bringing up ethical issues.

In this lesson for key stage 3 History, students will be introduced to the concept of dictatorship using the film Flash Gordon (1980). Students explore the implications of living in a dictatorship through watching the film and creating a role play about overthrowing Ming the Merciless. Learners will be encouraged to use melodrama to explore the motivations of the various parties involved in Ming’s dictatorship.

A lesson for primary students that explores attitudes toward race and equality and encourages discussion of students' own ideas around the topic, based around the film Jemima + Johnny (1966). The film is available to watch for free on BFI Player (http://player.bfi.org.uk/film/watch-jemima-johnny-1966/).

A lesson that uses the film Grove Carnival (1983), about the Notting Hill carnival in London to consider whether attitudes toward race and black culture have shifted over time in Britain. A clip from Grove Carnival is available to watch on the BFI Youtube channel. The full film is available for free on BFI Player (http://player.bfi.org.uk/film/watch-grove-carnival-1981/). This lesson is meant as a follow up to the Jemima + Johnny lesson (available as a separate download).

This five-lesson scheme of work for Key Stage 4 English examines the issue of racial inequality as depicted in the short film Ten Bob in Winter (1963) and the poetry of Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou. Ten Bob in Winter is an energetic short film directed by the Jamaican writer and performer Lloyd Reckord. Shot on 16mm in black and white, the film is fresh and experimental yet still light and accessible. Some of the learning objectives include: Learning facts about racial inequality within British society; Exploring the theme of racial inequality; Using poetry as a way of understanding and empathising with this inequality.

A lesson for Key Stage 4 PSHE and Citizenship students that explores black British culture and identity using the film Babylon (1980). Key scenes are used as impetus for class discussions on issues of race and racism in British society. Set predominantly in South London, Babylon is a potent mix of music and social commentary, with an extraordinary ‘starry’ cast headed by actor-musician Brinsley Forde (Brinsley Dan) as ‘Blue’, the alienated young man at the heart of the story. Directed by Franco Rosso, this is a superb, truthful film that stands up over thirty years later. The film is available on DVD and for free in BFI Mediatheques. Learning objectives include: Learning about some aspects of black British history from the 1980s; Considering similarities and differences between race relations in the UK in the 1980s and modern day.

A lesson for Key Stage 4 PSHE and Citizenship students that explores the experiences of the 'Windrush Generation' using the film Concrete Garden (1994). Students work toward devising a short dramatic piece that relates to the themes and ideas brought up by the film. Concrete Garden is a wonderfully observed graduation film from the black British director Alrick Riley. With warm performances from a young cast and exquisite detail in the production design, this tender short film powerfully evokes the trials and tribulations faced by kids settling in 1950s Britain. The film is available to watch for free in BFI Mediatheques or can be rented on BFI Player for a small fee. Learning objectives include: Understanding more about immigration from the Commonwealth in the 1950s; Investigating and considering what it could be like to be someone who has recently moved to the UK from abroad.