Schools World Service

from BBC World Class and British Council

The Schools World Service (SWS) publishes video footage each month that’s designed to engage your students in international news and boost their understanding of the wider world.

Each film offers a fresh approach to a major event by presenting a engaging and topical stories, told through the eyes of children.

There are versions for primary and secondary school audiences.

Visit our resources section to start viewing the footage.

The global view

SWS is a collaboration project between the BBC World Class and British Council, which aspires to raise students’ awareness of topical international stories and their effects on the lives of children. The films provide a context to develop knowledge and understanding of current affairs and global citizenship and encourage skills and attributes such as discussion and debate, empathy and understanding.

Curriculum links

Some of the films have direct links with specific curriculum subjects, others provide valuable resources for use in Circle Time and SEAL, general studies or assemblies and during thematic events such as Black History Week.

The Schools World Service Charter

The SWS:

• informs young people and children in schools anywhere
• engages them in debate, dialogue and understanding about the wider world
• produces topical, relevant and compelling stories
• generates original journalism reflecting the experiences of young people and giving them a voice
• gives a full picture of communities featured to counter stereotypes
• tackles a range of themes which empower, uplift and offer a fresh perspective on the world enriching school resources
• prides itself on high production values with simple and straightforward language.

Filming with children 

Each film has a short introduction and suggestions for discussion, activities and additional resources including notes from the filmmakers. In the case of Schools World Service we pay special attention to the BBC editorial guidelines for filming with children. Our first concern is always the safety and the well-being of the young people we work with.

When filming children you need parental or headteacher (guardian) consent as well as consent from the child. You need to build in time for the kids to get used to the camera and to get to know them and their story. The film maker wants to get their story, but must be careful not to expose their vulnerabilities to the world which might leave them open to bullying. 

This means that sometimes, even if everyone is happy about being filmed and it is very exciting for everyone, the BBC might decide not to use the film, if they have concerns that there might be negative consequences afterwards.