New Private Peaceful Resource from Into Film

An innovative new, cross curricular resource from education charity Into Film and the National Literacy Trust offers teachers an array of stimulating possibilities for using Michael Morpurgo's moving story Private Peaceful to develop literacy and bring World War I to life in its centenary year.  Created for use across the Key Stage 3 curriculum, the resource features exclusive footage and insights from the author in addition to clips from the film and behind-the-scenes information.  Seven sections are available for study in History, English, Citizenship, Geography, RE, and Science, each containing teachers' notes and a series of activities to inspire imagination, stimulate thought and discussion, and support subject teaching in tandem with traditional and film literacy.  Each section is accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation with video content for use in teaching and learning. Designed for use in conjunction with the film, the resource can be downloaded here...

As well as undertaking in-depth film analysis, young people will embark on a skills based literacy and cross-curricular enquiry incorporating analysis of character and relationships, investigation of the main narrative themes and devices, and interpretation of the author's message and different viewpoints.    Activities range from storyboarding, story mapping and debating to comparing book and film, analysing camera shots, setting and sound, exploring class structure in the early 20^th Century and looking at the impact of World War I on the landscape.  Through a variety of strategies for researching and retrieving information, organising data and presenting findings the resource will help schools to demonstrate that they are using film to achieve literacy outcomes across all subjects. 

Michael Morpurgo says: "Private Peaceful deals with one of the darkest aspects of a terrible war; the execution of our own side. I wrote it wanting to highlight what I believed to be the injustice of those shot at dawn, but also to show the impact of the war, of any war, on family and friends and loved ones. This heartfelt and moving film brings vividly to life the simple fact that soldiers are human beings, not just uniforms."

Guy de Beaujeu, the film's producer says: "The film has been praised by teachers as an excellent teaching aid in its depictions of WW1 and for remaining true to Michael's original novel. There is a growing realisation among education providers that Private Peaceful is the perfect project for the Centenary - it is non-judgemental, non-jingoistic and unsentimental."

Abigail Moss, Deputy Director at the National Literacy Trust says: "Teachers will be able to use this timely resource to focus on the First World War and actively engage children and young people through the film, in both literacy and film literacy learning. We hope that this will have a positive impact on students' attainment across curriculum areas as well as being a fun and interactive way for schools to mark the centenary year of WW1."

Jane Fletcher, Director of Education at Into Film says: "Curriculum linked and enrichment teaching resources for learning through and about film are a key element of Into Film's remit to put film at the heart of children and young people's learning and cultural experience, and we are thrilled to be partnering with National Literacy Trust and Private Peaceful to bring this unique new teaching resource to our membership of Into Film clubs in schools, colleges and youth groups throughout the UK.  We hope that this resource will enable teachers to support young people's development of their literacy and film literacy skills by exploring behind the scenes of both Michael Morpurgo's book and the film, which in turn brings World War 1 to life for the students."

The Private Peaceful DVD is available free to rent for all schools with an Into Film Club or to purchase online from    (please visit the Schools area) at the specially discounted prices of £4 (1 copy), £10 (3 copies), £15 (5 copies) or £25.00 (10 copies).

To coincide with the launch of the resource Into Film are screening Private Peaceful at the Hay Festival on Friday, May 23^rd - for details visit...

Into Film Clubs are FREE for all state funded schools and non-school settings and offer free access to thousands of films and education resources for learning through and about film.  Inclusive and accessible for all students, film clubs help promote young people's social, moral, spiritual and cultural development helping schools achieve OFSTED requirements.  

Supported by the BFI (British Film Institute), together with funding from the film industry and a number of other sources, Into Film incorporates the legacy and staff of two leading film education charities, FILMCLUB and First Light, building on their experience and success in delivering programmes of significant scale and reach to children and young people across the UK.

For further information about Into Film visit: www.Intofilm.org and find out how to start a film club at www.filmclub.org, email info@intofilm.org or call 0207 288 4520.