No Outsiders at Wistaston Church Lane

At Wistaston Church Lane Academy we believe it is important to teach the children to recognise and accept difference. We have a duty to prepare them 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 vital 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, we are all insiders, there are no outsiders at Wistaston Church Lane.

To promote this ethos at Wistaston Church Lane Academy, we have chosen to use a resource that embeds equality, called ‘No Outsiders.’

The Equality Act (2010) is British Law and protects people from discrimination in the workplace and wider society. It refers to following ‘protected characteristics.’

• Race,
• Religion or belief,
• Gender,
• Age,
• Disability,
• Sexual orientation,
• Pregnancy or maternity,
• Marriage or civil partnership,
• Gender reassignment

The Ofsted framework states that inspectors will make a judgement on the personal development of learners by evaluating the extent to which: The school “prepares learners for life in modern Britain by: equipping them to be responsible, respectful, active citizens who contribute positively to society; developing their understanding of fundamental British values; developing their understanding and appreciation of diversity; celebrating what we have in common and promoting respect for the different protected characteristics as defined in law.”

The No Outsiders resource includes lesson plans based on children’s picture books, many of which you may already have read with your children. The class discussion is child-led and offers opportunity for the children to make observations and consider the simple messages in the text, all of which link to the Equality Act in an age appropriate way.

We consulted with parents for views on this programme in November 2020. We have been embedding this approach since this time and it is now part of our school ethos and culture.

Further information on No outsiders