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Bookings for fewer than ten places now available - ONLINE ONLY
Film Education provides resources and screenings free of charge to schools and teachers across the UK. We have a small team of fourteen permanent staff, and receive no government or lottery funding.
For the past three years our charity has continued to provide over half a million children and young people every year with the opportunity of experiencing film in the cinema free of charge. This has been achieved in the absence of any increase in our core funding over the same period.
In order to continue providing access for as many children as possible, we have to structure our activities accordingly and it was in this regard, for operational reasons, that we decided to implement a minimum number of ten places per booking for Film Week screenings.
We have listened to and appreciated the constructive response to this change offered by those whose children have enjoyed the experience of National Schools Film Week in the past, and who have communicated their disappointment with our decision.
Although some smaller parties have been able to organise themselves into groups of ten or more, unfortunately this is not possible for all those wanting to attend Film Week screenings. With this in mind, I have reviewed the situation along with our Film Week and Digital teams and have decided to make adjustments and amend the booking process. From now on, those wishing to book fewer than ten places may do so, using the online booking system.
The changes, below, apply to all bookings of fewer than ten places for screenings during Film Week 2012:
- For bookings of fewer than ten places, ONLY ONLINE bookings will be accepted
- All communication regarding screenings and bookings for groups of fewer than ten will be via e-mail only
- Film Week booking staff will refer any calls regarding bookings for groups of fewer than ten to the National Schools Film Week website
- The person making the booking must be the educator responsible for the child, and will take full responsibilty for the child, children or young person/s involved at all times during the visit to the cinema
- The standard terms and conditions for Film Week 2012 will apply
- The situation will be reviewed as part of the standard post event assessment and any input from participants is appreciated
I trust that the above will satisfy those interested in Film Week forming part of their child’s education and I would ask those who have already made bookings for ten seats who now wish to review their bookings to advise Film Education of any changes online from the end of today.
From 2013, all bookings for National Schools Film Week will be through our new online booking system.
In closing, I must also refute the accusations made by a small minority of home educators against Film Education and members of its staff, that we are deliberately discriminating against home educated children and young people. We are prepared, if necessary, to take appropriate action to protect our staff and our organisation from such unfounded accusations. I invite those who have made comments that they now feel are unnecessary, to review their posts in light of this message.
Regards
James Lennox
-Posted on Friday 31st August 2012