Soap operas often deal with issues such as teenage pregnancies

Children aged 11 to 14 are to look at the issues raised by the presentation of a false rape claim in the BBC children's drama Grange Hill.

They will also be asked to evaluate programmes of their choice, including soap operas, in a project run by London's Institute of Education.

Packs containing lesson ideas and DVDs are going to 1,000 schools in England.

'Not Footballers' Wives'

They are designed to instil a "critical approach" to mainstream media content.

Project leader Professor David Buckingham told the BBC News website: "We are not collaring kids and making them watch Footballers' Wives or pornography.

"The only material we provide is from Grange Hill or adverts."

It will help kids to wonder why certain storylines get in Professor David Buckingham

Children will be asked to write a diary and compile a scrapbook detailing their reading and viewing activities.

They will also have to create their own storyline for a soap opera, dealing with teenage pregnancy.

Prof Buckingham said: "It will help kids to wonder why certain storylines get in.

"The DVDs we are sending out will include interviews with the producers of Grange Hill, which will provide a useful insight."

The Grange Hill episode analysed shows a girl and boy who have sex. The girl then accuses the boy of rape.

Prof Buckingham said: "The storyline is really about communication and relationships.

"The course is about media literacy and awareness; it is not about sex education. The children will find out how various messages are put across in the different media.

"It will teach them to be more critical about what they watch and read."

HAVE YOUR SAY Sex is pushed at everyone these days Chris, Telford, UK Send us your comments

None of the content dealt with will be that shown after the 9pm watershed, before which excessive swearing, violence or sexually explicit content is banned.