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. In this lesson students apply their knowledge of Kantian ethics to the experience of John Merrick, the Elephant Man. They do so through active watching, through a hot seat activity and finally by creating a trailer for a film.

This lesson for English and other subjects at key stages 3-5 uses the short film Pumzi (2009) to lead students into a discussion of the issue of the future. They will consider moral dilemma linked to the key sci-fi issue of the creation of utopian or dystopian futures. They then have the opportunity to design their own post-apocalyptic ‘perfect world’, consider how the world might end, and what new worlds might be created as a result.

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.

This lesson for key stage 5 RE provides a springboard for students to debate the core issues at the heart of environmental ethics, and encourages students to begin applying the normative ethics systems they have been studying to a real practical ethical problem in our current world.

This lesson for key stage 3 RE students provides an opportunity to explore ideas about what the creation of the universe using the film 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Skills of exploration and imagination should be encouraged, and it is important students understand that the lesson is not about trying to find the right or wrong answer.