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 resource uses the Hansel & Gretel story as a basis for recognising and responding to everyday risks. Requires the accompanying DVD.

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 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 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.

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.

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. A lesson that uses Hansel & Gretel as the basis for recognising and responding to a range of risks, focusing on the importance of individual responsibility and decision making through the 'conscience alley&'.

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).