Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
School Life Film Review
School Life (PG13 – some strong language and smoking)
Set in Headfort, Ireland’s last remaining Primary age boarding school, School Life follows a year in the life of the institution, its children and in particular two dedicated teachers – John and Amanda Leyden. The pair has worked at the school for nearly 50 years and are contemplating their retirement. Like the school children in their care, they’re getting ready to make a move in to the unknown and make the next step.
The children they’re looking after come from privileged backgrounds (most will be looking to attend the likes of Eton and Harrow), the class sizes are small, and the school’s buildings and grounds are part relic, part fairy tale. This is a school life that most will never get to experience or can relate to, but where School Life succeeds is in looking beyond class and privilege and getting to the heart of education and human experience. Early on in the film a severe case of homesickness is handled with wonderful compassion by Amanda and as the film develops the children and staff deal with anxiety, shyness, and self-confidence issues. We also see the children explore the grounds, climbing trees and being given the opportunity to take responsibility for their time. One of the key messages of the film is that regardless of background, there are many common experiences that bind us together.
In John and Amanda, the film explores the commitment of teachers in preparing children for life. The pair employ something of a good cop – bad cop technique. Amanda’s English classes immerse the children in the wonders of language and the gruesome details of history. Her support of dyslexic Ted is a fine example of her belief in helping children to achieve whatever the obstacles might be. The work she and Ted put in concludes with him pulling off a fine performance as the Ghost in the school’s performance of Macbeth. If there’s a tugging on the heartstrings moment in the film, this is surely it.
John on the other hand appears to be more direct, sarcastic and off hand. His withering sense of humour and apparent detachment, coupled with his wild silver hair call to mind an English version of Larry David. Yet, his brutal honesty and direct technique allows the children to be responsible for their progress and most definitely provides results. His belief in music and art as a vital part of the children’s development sees him running the school band from a graffiti strewn hidey hole. He’s constantly on the search for a drummer and has to endure awful vocal auditions, but his commitment to the power of performance and expression is clear, even when delivering home truths that Simon Cowell would consider a little harsh (though wonderfully funny). Beneath this somewhat gruff exterior is a compassionate soul, and every so often we get a glimpse. When discussing the academically gifted but painfully withdrawn Eliza he’s clearly concerned. “I don’t want her to live her life where she stands 5 yards back from what everybody else is doing – when she’s got such a lot to offer.” It’s in these moments that the heart of the film is truly exposed. It’s a look into education not as a profession, but as a calling.
When the film was originally released it went under the title In Loco Parentis (In Place Of Parents). The change to School Life is important. The narrative of educators as stand-in parents and the issue of parents leaving their children at school for long periods of time is still present, but it is not the dominant theme. Switching the title to School Life doesn’t impose bias or guide the audience, it allows the story to develop naturally. Even more importantly, the film never descends into mawkish sentimentality. Those expecting a weepy Dead Poet’s Society style ending, will have to look elsewhere. As the children leave the school, headed into the next chapter of their lives, John and Amanda wander off home and into whatever awaits them next, their jobs done once again.
School Life – Q&A with director Neasa Ní Chianáin and co-director & producer David Rane