Ken Duggan is principal of CBS Westland Row, Dublin:"I thought the film was terrific. Although it is set in an inner-city school, it brings up familiar issues for anyone dealing with teenagers. The joy and the risk of working with teens is that they are lively and they do challenge you. Regardless of race or background, those students were searching for their identities, battling the low self-esteem that comes with being that age.

I thought the class was a lovely group of individuals. I probably would have had many of the same difficulties the teacher had, but that's a part of the challenge.
It struck me very forcibly that a school is essentially a very human institution. It is flawed and wonderful at the same time.
Teachers are human. They have their own lives and agendas, just as kids have theirs. I thought it was a pity that there was so much emphasis on discipline in the school and so little on rewarding positive behaviour. All the same, I think it should really be compulsory viewing for teachers.

Pat Larkin teaches at St Joseph of Cluny, Killiney, Co Dublin. He is former chairman of the Teachers' Association for Media Education

"The film's title translates as In Between the Walls. Maybe that's a more apt title than The Class.
The protaganist begins as a sensitive, liberal idealist, but is transformed by his experiences. His engagement with all the partners in education makes him more authoritarian and less open minded.
This film is moving and authentic; raw and realistic.
It is a refreshing change from the common blockbuster mix of special effects and cartoon characters.
The Classunravels in real time - leaving in its wake awkward questions about the education system in particular and society in general. It is provocative and challenging.
Cantet's film should be compulsory viewing for all student teachers. I look forward to hearing the comments of my own media studies class.
Don't miss it."

Dorothy Kennedy teaches French in St Josephs Secondary School, Stanhope St, Dublin 7

"I very much enjoyed the film. It really reflects the climate in many real-life classrooms. Be it Paris or Dublin even, a lot of schools are dealing with the very complex problems that come with teaching students from different social and cultural backgrounds. The portrayal of the teacher is very natural and realistic - very believable.
Unlike a lot of films in this vein, he's not a hero who cures all ills. He's a very good teacher, but he has flaws - he's human.
I think a lot of people who are a long time out of education think of today's classroom as being the way it was when they were in school, but things have changed a lot in the past few years.
Today's classrooms are very different to what they were 20 years ago and the film gives an accurate portrayal of the difficulties and complex issue that can arise.
I'd highly recommend it for parents, pupils, teachers - anyone really."