London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Two Schools
Interesting look at two of London’s largest comprehensive schools in the 1970s, as children tackle a wide range of subjects.
From the collection of:
Overview
This absorbing ILEA film celebrates the achievements of two comprehensive schools in London –Southfields in Merton and Hampstead in Camden – promoting a combination of “discipline and friendliness”. The schools are both mixed gender, featuring a wide racial mix-up and some incredible hairstyles. The teachers are a mix of hip and wonderfully old-fashioned, while the kids are admirably erudite – or well-rehearsed – as they discuss ethics, history and religion.
Related
Watch for free
Bruce Robertson reel 2 Bruce Robertson reel 2
Amateur film 1944 14 mins Silent Location: Merton
London Zoo and little babies feature in this home movie that shows domestic life in south London as well as shots of lion cubs, penguins and polar bears.
Watch for free
Bruce Robertson reel 1 Bruce Robertson reel 1
Amateur film 1944 12 mins Silent Location: Merton
Short home movie capturing the devastating aftermath of a V1 flying bomb in Mitcham and then domestic scenes in Morden and Mitcham.
Watch for free
Visual Training Part One, Why Things Are Seen, Merton (1947) Visual Training Part One, Why Things Are Seen, Merton (1947)
School programme and Educational film 1947 11 mins Location: Merton
Wonderful, informative military training film about vision, which features shots of south London having been made at Merton Park Studios.
Watch for free
Launches And Family Scenes, Epsom, Wimbledon, Croydon (1933) Launches And Family Scenes, Epsom, Wimbledon, Croydon (1933)
Amateur film 1933 50 mins Silent Location: Mudeford
Ships are launched and ropes are skipped in this wildly mixed selection of amateur films shot in the 1920s and 1930s by Gilbert Szlumper of Southern Railway.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Bell of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Watch for free
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
Watch for free
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.