''School Life'' also known as ''In Loco Parentis'' is a 2016 Irish-Spanish documentary film written and directed by Neasa Ní Chianáin and David Rane. The film stars Amanda Leyden and John Leyden in the lead roles. The film was premiered in several international film festivals in 2016 and 2017 while had its theatrical release in the United States on 8 September 2017. The documentary film was released in Ireland and Spain with the title ''In Loco Parentis'' but the title was later changed to ''School Life'' due to its theatrical release in the US. The film was well received and opened to positive reviews from the critics. The documentary was critically acclaimed for its storyline and screenplay and was also lauded by critics as one of the finest ever documentary films. It also received several awards and nominations in several film festivals.

Synopsis

The story follows a year on the lives of two motivational inspirational teachers at

Headfort School Headfort School, first established in 1949 by Lord and Lady Headfort at Headfort House near Kells, County Meath, is Ireland's only remaining preparatory boarding school. It closed in March 2020 but a new operation under the same name opened i ...

which is the only primary-care boarding school in Ireland. John teaches rock music, mathematics, Latin and scripture while his wife Amanda uses her eye catching experience through books to connect with the children. Both nearly half a century have helped to shape up the futures of thousands of minds and suddenly after 46 years of dedicated teaching retirement was calling on the verge for both of them.

Cast

* Dermoit Dix as himself * Amanda Leyden as herself * John Leyden as himself

Critical reception

Joyce Slaton of

Common Sense Media Common Sense Media (CSM) is an organization that reviews and provides ratings for media and technology with the goal of providing information on their suitability for children.

rated 4 out of 5 stars stating "sweet, gentle and authentic, this film chronicling a year at an Irish boarding school is the very best kind of observational documentary: one that ends with viewers feeling they've met new friends." Michael O'Sullivan of ''

Washington Post ''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large nati ...

'' rated 3 out of 4 stating "The film's true subjects are the aging, loveabley, quirky Leydens: John with his unkempt cloud of long, thinning hair, Amanda with her pierced eyebrow." Ben Kenigsberg of ''

New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...

'' stated "The documentary captures the routines of an Irish boarding school and it's two of the greatest cherished teachers."

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* * * {{Authority control 2016 films 2016 documentary films 2010s Spanish-language films Irish documentary films Spanish biographical films Films about education 2010s English-language films