Watch Over Me
Watch Over Me is a series of broadcast quality soap dramas for secondary schools that stimulate class discussion and help teachers introduce challenging topics such as terrorism, internet paedophiles and domestic violence.
The films were made following extensive research across the UK with groups of young people who themselves suggested the topics and shaped the storylines. The first Watch Over Me film was funded by the Home Office and DfES and made in memory of murdered Surrey teenager Milly Dowler. It was so successful that two further films have been added to explore more issues faced by teenagers.
Each film contains episodes of drama accompanied by real life testimonies from young people, firefighters, police officers, football coaches, sports stars and celebrities. Comprehensive lesson plans are provided to help teachers focus on the issues and provide ideas for extension activities.
In addition to the Watch Over Me series, two special films have been made on behalf of the Metropolitan Police looking at weapons and domestic violence (Fix Up, Look Sharp) and community cohesion (Living Together).
The films cover the following topics:
Watch Over Me I
The journey to school, domestic violence, effects of alcohol, bullying, offensive weapons, street robbery.
Watch Over Me II
Gun crime, domestic violence, forced marriage, drugs and alcohol, bereavement.
Watch Over Me III
Road safety, weapons, internet safety, diverting children away from crime through sport, extremism and community cohesion, self image.
Fix Up, Look Sharp
This film was made with young people from pupil referral units in south London who said their biggest concerns were gun and knife crime and domestic violence. They worked with the National Youth Theatre to create short dramas around these subjects to stimulate discussion and help others devise strategies for dealing with risk.
Living Together – A Look at Community Cohesion
This film was commissioned by the Metropolitan Police to explore the subject of community cohesion and encourage young people to question the world around them and the information they are given. The DVD looks at four themes and contains two short films on each subject:
• What is extreme behaviour?
• Who’s in control?
• Identity
• What makes a safe community?
Full lesson plans are included that link to PSHE and Citizenship in the National Curriculum. The film is available to every secondary school in London through the Metropolitan Police. It also forms part of the Watch Over Me DVD box set that contains all three films and teaching materials, plus special films and training resources for police, fire and football.
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