BBC and Channel 4 have a full basket of new wares with which to launch the academic year. Last week, The TES published a run-down of primary programmes. Here are selected highlights for secondary schools.
General interest
Film and Video Showcase: Channel 4, Thursdays, 11.20-11.40am. This series for all ages celebrates the work of young film and video makers, many of who have been working with limited equipment and recording facilities. The series also looks at some of the techniques and technology available which make desk-top video production more accessible.
Schools at Work: Channel 4, Fridays, 11.35-11.40am. A further pat on the back for schools which dare to be a little different, these short excursions round the country take in a welcome diversity of enterprising projects from chess to sand yachts.
Science
There is nothing quite as final as extinction, as the new series Lost Animals, Channel 4, Tuesdays 11.37-1l.42am and Wednesday 11.07 and 11.12 discovers. Many natural wonders have been lost for good. Suitable for all ages, this comes with a teacher’s guide at Pounds 3.95 and a CD-Rom, which offers an interactive guide to ex-species. Pounds 35 or Pounds 90 for network version.
Business Studies
The Business Studies Collection: BBC2, Fridays 9.15-9.40am (for ages 16+) looks at the best business stories collected from the BBC news and current affairs archives. The clips provide case-study material for such topics as marketing, investment, finance, labour and communications.
GNVQ TV, BBC2, Tuesdays, 11.30-12.00am, looks at business organisations and employment, consumers, customers, financial and administrative support and business and the media. It is aimed at students of Intermediate Business GNVQ.
Modern Languages
Hallo aus Berlin is a new series of 10 programmes for beginners in German aged 11 to 13 on BBC2, Thursdays, 12.15-12.30pm. Young people welcome viewers into the city and their homes, taking in a variety of citizens and sights en route. There is a video and resource pack, which contains teacher’s notes, transcripts, photocopymasters and audio cassette Pounds 57.50 (Pounds 19. 99 pack only).
English
If you need to get to the nub of certain aspects of Shakespeare’s plays there is Shakespeare Shorts BBC2, Fridays 11.40-12.00am for 11 to 14-year-olds. Key scenes, alternative interpretations, active approaches and coping with the language get a thorough airing, from five of the most popular set plays.
Geography
They make more than coffee in Brazil 2000 BBC2, Wednesdays 1.00-1.20pm (see review TES, September 6, page 23). For a jubilant, optimistic look at a country beset by more than its fair share of problems, The Geography Programme goes behind the scenes for a return visit. The USA and Japan will follow later in the year.
History
Following on from its ground-breaking first series, People’s Century returns later this autumn on BBC1 (repeated on BBC2) to continue its story just as the hopes and plans of a post-war world were being plagued by the doubts of the Cold War. The first instalment, Brave New World again features personal stories and propaganda film clips.
Schools Television begins on September 16. Timetables, programme guides and teaching resources are available from Channel 4 Schools, PO Box 100, Warwick CV34 6TZ. Tel: 01926 433333. Or BBC Education, White City, London W12 7TS. Tel: 0181 746 1111.
Both channels are also on the Internet: http:www.schools.channel4.co. uk and http:www.bbc.co.uk
