Film improves literacy claims UK report

A new report from UK film bodies claims that the use of film in education is improving literacy levels and young people’s motivation to learn as well as developing skills that will help them in employment.

The BFI, FILMCLUB, Film Education, First Light and Skillset surveyed 400 teachers, project leaders and pupils from across the UK who integrate film within lessons.

All of the teachers surveyed said that they saw improvement in the educational attainment of their pupils. 73% of teachers said they saw an improvement in the critical thinking and understanding skills of students and 83% saw an improvement in creative thinking of students.

71% of teachers in the survey said they saw an improvement in the reading and writing skills of students as a result of learning with film. 

Teachers were asked to indicate whether using film in the classroom had a more notable impact on boys or girls. Of those teachers who said that using film did have a more pronounced effect on one gender, 80% said that the greater impact was on secondary school boys, largely because of boys’ motivation for learning and their literacy.

82% of teachers said that using film helped them reach more difficult or challenging students. 

The latest report is in line with the UK Film Policy Review’s ambition for film to play a greater role in schools and education across the UK.

Tim Cagney, Deputy CEO, BFI said: “We welcome this report that really demonstrates the value of film education and the vital part it plays in building a lifelong relationship with film. The announcement by Education Secretary Michael Gove that £3m over three years is to be invested into the BFI’s film academy for 5,000 students aged between 16-19 will help to ensure that there continues to be a flow of home-grown talent through education into film and our other creative industries and we now look forward to working with the Government and partners in making that happen.”