Promoting the Protected Characteristics at Holy Trinity RC  Primary School

We work to ensure that our children understand that:

Everyone is different;

We celebrate our differences;

We are all equal in our differences and;

There are no outsiders at Holy Trinity 

The Equality Act became law in 2010. It covers everyone in Britain and protects people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Everyone in Britain is protected. This is because the Equality Act protects people against discrimination because of the protected characteristics that we all have. Under the Equality Act, there are nine Protected Characteristics:

1. Age
2. Disability
3. Gender reassignment
4. Race
5. Religion or belief
6. Marriage or civil partnership
7. Sex
8. Sexual orientation
9. Pregnancy and maternity

Schools are not required to teach about all the protected characteristics in every year group. The curriculum should be planned and delivered so that children develop age-appropriate knowledge and understanding during their time at the school. 

There are a range of ways schools can choose to teach about these issues in an age-appropriate way. Primary schools could, for example, teach pupils about the different types of family groups that exist within society.

Life to the Full and Protected Characteristics: 

In Life to the Full, we take a holistic approach to the teaching of all RSHE subject matters including teaching on the Protected Characteristics.  We have a continuous, age-appropriate approach to the teaching of the subject from 4 to 11.

• In KS1, we look at family structures (particularly KS1, Module 2,  Unit 2: Special People) and provide guidance for schools on talking about different family structures.
• In Lower KS2, we explore similarities and differences (LKS2 Module 1, Unit 2: We Don’t Have To Be The Same) and deepen children’s exploration of family and others in LKS2 Mod2 Unit 2: Family, Friend and Others.
• In Upper KS2, we explore difference once again through the Paradise Street series, including discussion around ‘two mums and two dads’ etc.

Burnley Football Club in the Community visited us to deliver an assesmly on Racism. They held a competition to design a poster and two of our children from Class 4 won an array of prizes including some BFC goodies. 
 

Books that encourage positive and guided discussion of the protected characteristics.

At Holy Trinity RC Primary, we teach the children to recognise and accept difference. No Outsiders is a programme which educates children about diversity within our communities. It is taught to each year group through the use of age-appropriate books.

At Holy Trinity, we have a duty to prepare our children for modern life in Britain. In school and their future workplace, they will be working alongside peers and colleagues of different race, religion, gender, age, disability and sexual orientation. It is paramount that future generations are able to accept differences, accept the views of others and treat each other with respect, even if they disagree. We expect the children to express their views with kindness and consideration for the feelings of others. Our key message is that we are all equal and we all belong, there are no outsiders in our school. In order to promote this ethos at Holy Trinity, we have chosen to use the ‘No Outsiders’ resources.

No Outsiders links to our teaching about British Values and Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural learning (SMSC). As this is part of the school curriculum, every child takes part. No Outsiders supports outstanding teaching and learning. It challenges stereotypes and the use of derogatory language in lessons and around school. No Outsiders strategies reflect and value the diversity of pupils’ experiences and provide pupils with a comprehensive understanding of people and communities beyond their immediate experience.

Through a series of assemblies and class discussions based around common children’s picture books, pupils will be taught these No Outsiders core values:

• Respect for diversity through education in schools.
• Commitment to community cohesion through understanding and acceptance of difference.
• Promotion of dialogue to counter fear and hate in society.

We believe that in order for all our children to feel fully valued and represented in our provision we needed to build upon and enhance our No Outsiders approach.