Film project with Mouth That Roars

Toxic learning: Words matter

In the summer of 2023, we collaborated with Mouth That Roars (MTR), an independent not for profit youth media organisation based in Hackney, to create short videos that highlight some of the key issues that are affecting young people’s mental health in mainstream education. These campaign films will be used as part of Hackney Mental Health Week in November 2023 and throughout Hackney REP campaigns.

Over 2 weeks, MTR young filmakers and a facilitator worked alongside a group of young people enabling them to access a medium through which which they can voice their thoughts and feelings. They produced 6 video shorts sharing experiences they have had at school to show the negative impact these have had on them and their education. Creating these films gave voice and power to marginalised young people who are often mis or under-represented within society. We want these videos to be seen by education providers, teachers, decision makers, people in power and the wider community and will prompt them to evaluate and change their behaviour to prevent harming and belittling young people.

See the compilation of videos here

Toxic learning: Words matter

Late

In this video, a young person shares an experience of being prevented from learning for arriving late to class for an unavoidable personal reason.

Many young people face a number of personal challenges in their lives that mean lateness is often unavoidable – should they be penalised and prevented from learning because of that? We don’t think so.

Exclusion

School exclusions are a trigger point for criminal exploitation and deepen the adversity young people face.

Unfortunately, this experience is all to common in our communities.

Young people in Hackney are 65% more at risk of being excluded from school than the rest of London.

Our young people deserve to be supported to attend and achieve in education.

Bad Grade

Schools should be places of learning and development, teaching and inspiring young people to achieve their best.

Here we see how a young person is made to feel humiliated, humiliation like this can lead to negative consequences such as anxiety and depression.

Humiliation also causes young people to withdraw and disengage in learning for fear of further shaming which has detrimental impacts on their education and achievements.

Racist teacher

Racial inequality is one of the biggest barriers to pupils attaining success in schools.

In Hackney, Black Caribbean-heritage pupils are 4 times more likely to be excluded than their white British peer.

Hackney REP is challenging and preventing racial inequaities in education by supporting young people and families to know their rights and access the education they deserve.

Negative words

Words matter, they shape how young people think about themselves.

This video shows some of the negative comments young people experience regularly in school.

Growing up is challenging and most young people are facing a number of adversities outside of their control.

Our schools should be nurturing and safe spaces that support learning and harbour respect – not places that hurt young people through disrespectful and negative language.

Film project with Mouth That Roars

Toxic learning: Words matter

Toxic learning: Words matter

Late

Exclusion

Bad Grade

Racist teacher

Negative words

The school campaign films were great to work on as it felt as though we were giving young people a chance to speak up about the unfair experiences we've gone through

It was a really good experience and it's nice to know I'm apart of something that's going to help other young people like myself, who are neurodiverse and struggle in school - I'm glad I've been able to help other young people like me..

Film project with Mouth That Roars

Toxic learning: Words matter

Toxic learning: Words matter

Late

Exclusion

Bad Grade

Racist teacher

Negative words

The school campaign films were great to work on as it felt as though we were giving young people a chance to speak up about the unfair experiences we've gone through

It was a really good experience and it's nice to know I'm apart of something that's going to help other young people like myself, who are neurodiverse and struggle in school - I'm glad I've been able to help other young people like me..

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