Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mr. Wells, and welcome to today's RSHE lesson.

The title of today's lesson is "Equality in modern Britain".

It forms part of the unit "Communities: Why is respect and compassion important?

" We recommend that you are with an adult whilst you complete this lesson.

Let's get started.

The outcome for today's lesson is, "I can explain the Equality Act, how it protects people from discrimination, and what to do if I witness discrimination.

" In every RSHE lesson, we have some ground rules.

Let's take a moment to go through them together.

Firstly, Laura says, "We should listen to others.

It's okay to disagree with each other, but we should listen properly before making assumptions or deciding how to respond.

When disagreeing, we should challenge the statement, not the person.

" Andeep tells us to "Respect privacy.

We can discuss examples, but don't use names or descriptions that identify anyone, including ourselves.

" Jacob says, "There's no judgment.

We can explore beliefs and misunderstandings about a topic without fear of being judged.

" And finally, Izzy says, that we can "Choose our level of participation.

Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or join a discussion, and we should never put anyone on the spot.

" Throughout today's lesson, there are some key words or terms, the first of which is the Equality Act of 2010.

This was a British law passed in 2010 that makes some forms of discrimination unlawful.

And the second word is discrimination, which is when people are treated differently because of things such as their race, their sex, or their beliefs.

Today's lesson, "Equality in modern Britain", is in two parts, the first of which is, "What is the Equality Act?

" And the second is, "How does the Equality Act protect people?

" Let's make a start with our first learning cycle, "What is the Equality Act?

" The Equality Act is a British law passed in 2010 that makes some forms of discrimination unlawful.

The Equality Act was introduced in 2010 to bring together lots of different anti-discrimination laws.

It applies in England, Scotland, and Wales.

It protects people from discrimination in work, education, and in public spaces.

And Ms. Walsh says, "The law isn't just for adults in jobs.

It protects people in lots of different places, such as public spaces and sports clubs.

" The Equality Act of 2010 lists nine protected characteristics.

Let's go through them together.

We'll start at the top, with race and ethnicity.

Then we have disability, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships.

Let's take a moment to check our understanding.

Which of these statements about the Equality Act is true?

A, it applies in England, Wales, and Scotland.

B, it only applies to people in their workplaces.

C, it lists nine protected characteristics.

Which of those statements about the Equality Act are true?

The correct answers are, the Equality Act applies in England, Wales, and Scotland, and the Equality Act lists nine protected characteristics.

Well done if you've got those right.

It's time for our next check for understanding.

What is missing from the list of protected characteristics according to the Equality Act of 2010?

Already on our list, we have age, disability, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and sexual orientation.

Can you fill in the missing gaps?

And you might have written, gender reassignment and sex.

Well done if you got those right.

Lucas asks the question, "Does the Equality Act mean treating everyone exactly the same?

" Well, some adjustments are made for people in workplaces, schools, or public places.

Examples of these adjustments might include an employee is allowed flexible working hours so they can attend important medical appointments.

Or a council installs ramps alongside stairs so that everyone can access and enter the building.

And, during a job application process, an employer provides application forms in different formats, so all candidates can apply easily.

It's time for our next check for understanding.

Is this true or false?

Sometimes adjustments are made for people in workplaces, schools, or public places.

Is it true or is it false?

Okay, it's true.

It's time for our task now.

The task is three different questions, the first of which is, number one, name two examples of protected characteristics under the Equality Act.

Two, what does it mean if a protected characteristic is protected by law?

And three, give one example of how the Equality Act applies in everyday life, outside school.

Let's go through your answers together.

For the first question, name two examples of protected characteristics under the Equality Act, you might have written sex and gender reassignment.

For the second question, "What does it mean if a characteristic is protected by law?

" you might have written, "It means the law protects people from discrimination because of that characteristic.

" And for question three, "Give one example of how the Equality Act applies in everyday life, outside school," you might have written something along the lines of, "Being paid the same as colleagues for the same work.

" Well done if you've got those answers correct.

You're doing really well, and it's time to move on to our second learning cycle, "How does the Equality Act protect people?

" Protection under the Equality Act means it is unlawful to discriminate against someone because of a protected characteristic.

It applies in many areas, including work and training, shops and public services, clubs and community groups.

If discrimination happens, there are processes to challenge it and make it right.

Ms. Walsh says, "Protection from the Equality Act doesn't mean problems never happen, but it can help people who are experiencing discrimination.

" It's time for our next check for understanding, and Jack here is a little bit confused.

He says, "I think the Equality Act means that discrimination no longer exists.

" Explain why Jack is incorrect.

Well, you might have said, "This is incorrect because, while the Equality Act makes discrimination unlawful, discrimination can still happen, which is why the law exists to protect people and provide action when it does occur.

" The Equality Act means it is unlawful to discriminate against someone because they are male or female, with some exemptions.

And Helena from Human Resources says, "For example, in the workplace, men and women must be paid equally for doing the same work of equal value.

" The Equality Act means it is unlawful to discriminate against people who are proposing to, undergoing, or have completed a process of gender reassignment.

And Helena from Human Resources says, "For example, in the workplace, an employee cannot be discriminated against because of gender reassignment.

" Knowing your rights is important, but so is knowing what to do if you witness discrimination happening to others.

If you see discrimination, you could tell a trusted adult, choose not to join in or share harmful comments online, and use online reporting tools, where appropriate.

Police Officer Kofi says, "If you see serious discrimination in your community, you can tell someone who can help, like a shop manager, event organizer, or police officer.

Reporting what happened means the situation can be properly addressed.

Speaking up helps protect others, and shows that discrimination is not acceptable in your community.

" If you see discrimination in the workplace, stay calm, don't escalate the situation, support the person, check if they're okay.

Report it to a manager, the HR, human resources department, or use the workplace's specific reporting processes.

And keep a record.

Note what happened, when, and who was involved.

Helena tells us that reporting discrimination is not causing trouble.

It's helping to make the workplace safe for everyone.

When discrimination goes unreported, it often continues and can affect more people.

By speaking up, you're helping to create a workplace where everyone feels safe and valued.

It's time for our next check for understanding.

You're doing really well.

If you see discrimination happening, which of these actions will be sensible?

A, report it to a trusted adult, manager, or relevant authority.

B, offer support to the person being targeted, if it is safe to do so.

Or C, ignore it completely, so you don't get involved.

Well the correct answers for if you see discrimination happening, were A, reporting it to a trusted adult, manager, or relevant authority, and B, to offer support to the person being targeted if it is safe to do so.

It's time for our final task of today's lesson.

Let's read through this scenario and answer the questions which follow.

In an office, a staff member who has been through gender reassignment is repeatedly mocked by two colleagues.

The comments are about their appearance and past, and they are made in front of other staff.

One.

Would the Equality Act apply in this situation?

Why, or why not?

And two, if a colleague witnessed this discrimination, what would be a sensible course of action?

You can pause the screen now whilst you complete the task, and when you're ready to go through your answers, press play.

Your answers might include the following ideas.

One, would the Equality Act apply in this situation?

Why or why not?

Well, this is discrimination, because the staff member has been discriminated against due to having been through gender reassignment.

Gender reassignment is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act of 2010, so the law would apply in this situation.

And your answers may have continued for question two.

If a colleague witnessed this discrimination, what would be a sensible course of action?

Well, a colleague should make sure the person is safe, and offer support if appropriate.

They should report the incident to a manager or human resources, and give an accurate account of what they witnessed.

Let's take a moment to summarize what we've learned in today's lesson.

The Equality Act of 2010 is a law that protects people from discrimination in work, education, and everyday life.

Sex is a protected characteristic.

Gender reassignment is a protected characteristic.

And if you see discrimination, you should report it to someone who can help and support the person affected.

If you want further support based on what's been discussed in today's lesson, you could tell a trusted adult, or you could access Childline.

That's a website and phone line which is able to offer confidential advice and support.

Thank you for all your hard work today, and I hope you join us for another Oak lesson very soon.

Goodbye!