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Lesson 3 of 4
  • Year 4

Prejudice and discrimination in Britain

I can explain what prejudice is and why it's important to safely challenge it.

Lesson 3 of 4
New
New
  • Year 4

Prejudice and discrimination in Britain

I can explain what prejudice is and why it's important to safely challenge it.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Prejudice is a negative opinion about people which is not based on facts.
  2. Prejudice has existed throughout history in Britain and around the world.
  3. Prejudice can lead to discrimination.
  4. Britain has laws, like the Equality Act 2010, and the British values that aim to protect people against discrimination.
  5. We can reduce prejudice by safely challenging it with support from trusted adults.

Keywords

  • Prejudice - when someone judges or dislikes others unfairly, without knowing them, based on things like race, gender or appearance

  • Discrimination - treating a person unfairly because of their characteristics

Common misconception

Prejudice is a thing of the past.

While things have improved in many ways, prejudice still exists today. That's why it's important we all work to challenge it.


To help you plan your year 4 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Prejudice and discrimination in Britain, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You should speak to your RSHE lead or DSL before teaching this lesson. Consider which examples of prejudice would be most relevant and age-appropriate for your class context.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Which word means a feeling or belief about something or someone which is not based on evidence?

Correct Answer: assumption, an assumption, assumptions

Q2.
are assumptions that people make about others based on their characteristics.

Correct Answer: Stereotypes, a stereotype

Q3.
Which of these is an example of judging someone without knowing them?

Correct answer: deciding someone can't play football because they're a girl
learning about someone's hobbies by talking to them
making friends with someone new at school
asking questions to get to know someone better

Q4.
If you see or hear something unfair happening to someone, what should you always do?

ignore it and walk away
Correct answer: tell a trusted adult
join in with the others
keep it a secret

Q5.
What is the ending to this well-known saying: 'Never judge a book by its ...'

pages
title
Correct answer: cover
author

Q6.
Which of these shows respect for differences between people?

only being friends with people who are exactly like you
making fun of someone who looks different
avoiding people who have different interests
Correct answer: learning about and celebrating what makes people unique

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to the definition.

Correct Answer:prejudice,when someone judges or dislikes others unfairly, without knowing them

when someone judges or dislikes others unfairly, without knowing them

Correct Answer:discrimination,treating a person unfairly because of their characteristics

treating a person unfairly because of their characteristics

Correct Answer:characteristic,an important trait or feature of a person

an important trait or feature of a person

Q2.
What can prejudice lead to?

Correct answer: discrimination
friendship
freedom

Q3.
Has there always been prejudice in Britain?

Correct answer: Yes, sadly there has always been some prejudice.
No, it only started this year.
No, it happens in other countries but not here.

Q4.
How can people help stop prejudice?

ignore it and walk away
join in with the unkind behaviour
Correct answer: tell a trusted adult
Correct answer: speak up kindly and safely

Q5.
Britain has rules and the British that help to protect people from discrimination.

Correct Answer: values

Q6.
Cairo hears someone in his class say, “People from that country aren’t friendly.” What is the best way for Cairo to safely challenge this if he feels comfortable?

Correct answer: calmly say that it’s not true
Correct answer: explain that everyone is different
tell everyone else what was said
laugh along with the person