Special educational needs

Many of our children come from disadvantaged background, so the cinema is a really exciting 'experience' for them. I'm not sure if it was the quality of the film, the ambience in the cinema or a combination of both, but behaviour was superb.

-Nigel Pritchard, Class Teacher
Mount Stuart Primary School, Cardiff

The Festival screening was an excellent opportunity for the children to relax and be themselves, some with habits and ticks which would get parents/carers stressed in a normal cinema situation making the experience stressful for all involved. Films in class are often interrupted by specialists coming in and out of class, nursing teams and timetable restrictions. The children were able to sit in comfort and enjoy an entire film.

-Gemma Chapman, Class Teacher
Kingspark School, Dundee

Our pupils all have disabilities arising from Autistic Spectrum Disorders and therefore opportunities for social interaction, inclusion in mainstream events and access to public places are vital in developing their social skills, confidence and communication skills.

-Kathy McIntyre, Headteacher
Derrymount School, Nottingham

The Festival screenings were beneficial to the curriculum, were organised by classes themselves as part of their money management course in Maths. The other two films were linked to the Music PSD and Media curriculums. Students gain more independence. There are plenty of themes that are made available for class discussion and to use as examples in their work. These screenings enthuses pupils and provides the opportunity for more understanding and interaction with specifics of the curriculum. Our Autistic pupils struggled to settle down at first, but for the first time ever relaxed and enjoyed the situation.

-Ben Calvert-Lyons
Two Rivers High School, Tamworth