How far have we made progress on equality in the UK?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how the absence of laws in the past allowed inequality to happen and how the introduction of new laws has helped create a fairer society.
Key learning points
- When people treat others less favourably because of their prejudices, this is discrimination.
- In the past, people were often treated unequally, but there were no laws in place to protect people from discrimination.
- Some actions now seen as discriminatory, e.g., punishing people for sexuality, were once crimes.
- Many people have raised awareness and pushed for positive change.
- The law has gradually shifted to ensure greater protection for everyone, e.g., the Equality Act 2010.
Keywords
Discrimination - treating people unfairly or differently because of things like their race, gender, or where they come from, instead of treating everyone equally
Inequality - when things are not fair or equal for everyone
Common misconception
Discrimination in the past was not as harmful because people did not know any better.
Even though discrimination was accepted in the past, it still caused real harm. People lost rights, faced unfair treatment and suffered. Increased awareness led to campaigns and laws being made to protect people's rights.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to think critically about how laws reflect society's values. Ask them to consider how the absence of laws in the past allowed inequality to thrive and how today's laws aim to protect everyone's rights.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is an example of discrimination?
Q2.Complete the sentence by filling in the correct word: In the past, people were not treated equally because of their characteristics. It was not against the , so there was nothing to prevent it.
Q3.Why is the Equality Act 2010 important?
Q4.Complete this sentence: Discrimination in the past...
Q5.Match each law to what it helped change in society.
protects people from all discrimination and inequality
ensured same wages for men and women for the same job
helped protect those with disabilities in employment
Q6.Rearrange the words to create a sentence about equality legislation.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word to its correct definition.
the right of everyone to receive the same treatment
when people are not treated fairly or equally
treating people unfairly or differently due to their characteristics
Q2.Which of the following actions was considered a crime in the UK in the early 1900s, but no longer is?
Q3.Put these events in the correct chronological order.
Q4.In the past, there were no laws to protect people from based on their sexuality. This lack of protection allowed inequality to happen.
Q5.Order the events in chronological order.
Q6.What was the official title of Turing's Law, which granted posthumous Royal Pardons for all those criminalised for homosexuality?
To help you plan your 9 citizenship lesson on: How far have we made progress on equality in the UK?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 citizenship lesson on: How far have we made progress on equality in the UK?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 citizenship lessons from the Are people treated equally in UK society? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.