Protected Characteristics
At Primrose Lane Primary School, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment where every pupil understands and values diversity. Central to this commitment is our approach to teaching the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010, ensuring our pupils develop a clear understanding of what these characteristics are and why they matter.
Our PSHE Curriculum: You, Me
We use the nationally recognised You, Me PSHE scheme to deliver a well-sequenced and progressive Personal, Social, Health and Economic education programme. This scheme explicitly addresses the protected characteristics through age-appropriate lessons that explore themes such as respect, equality, and fairness. Pupils learn about the importance of treating everyone with kindness and honesty, reflecting our core school values.
The You, Me scheme supports pupils to:
- Recognise and celebrate differences and similarities among people.
- Understand the protected characteristics, including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
- Develop empathy and respect for others, fostering a positive and inclusive school culture.
Diversity Role Models Videos
To bring these lessons to life, we incorporate Diversity Role Models videos into our teaching. These videos feature real-life stories and experiences from diverse individuals who share their journeys and challenges related to protected characteristics. This approach helps pupils connect personally with the concepts, promoting deeper understanding and acceptance.
By seeing positive role models from a variety of backgrounds, our pupils:
- Gain insight into different lived experiences.
- Learn to challenge stereotypes and prejudices.
- Are inspired to be kind, ambitious, and honest in their interactions with others.
Embedding Equality and Respect
Together, the You, Me PSHE scheme and Diversity Role Models videos ensure that our pupils not only know what the protected characteristics are but also understand their significance in everyday life. This education supports our vision of nurturing responsible, compassionate citizens who contribute positively to society.
At Primrose Lane, we believe that teaching about protected characteristics is essential to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where every child can thrive.
