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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain why kindness and respect matter in our community and how my actions can positively impact others.

      Key learning points

      1. Treating others with kindness and respect helps create safer, more positive communities, including in public spaces.
      2. Everyone has equal rights under the law regardless of their background.
      3. We all have a responsibility to treat people fairly.
      4. Understanding how our words and actions impact others helps prevent harm and promotes inclusion.

      Keywords

      • Kindness - being nice, caring and thinking about how others feel

      • Equality - the state of being equal, especially in status, rights and opportunities

      • Respect - being considerate of others and the world around you; treating people fairly and how you would like to be treated

      Common misconception

      Kindness only matters with friends or people I know.

      Kindness and respect are important with everyone, including strangers and people in public spaces.

      Teacher tip

      Use examples from everyday life, such as holding doors open, respecting personal space, or speaking politely to staff in shops, to make the concept of kindness in public spaces concrete and relatable for pupils.

      Content guidance

      Contains strong language

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      You're walking through a busy shopping centre and accidentally bump into someone. What's the best response?

      keep walking - it happens all the time in busy places
      Correct answer: say sorry and check if the person is ok
      pretend it didn't happen and look the other way
      blame them for being in your way

      Q2.
      Match each action with how it might make others feel.

      Correct Answer:holding a door open,appreciated and noticed
      Correct Answer:ignoring someone asking for help,ignored and unimportant
      Correct Answer:using someone's name correctly,valued and respected
      Correct Answer:laughing at someone's mistake,hurt and embarrassed

      Q3.
      What's the most important outcome when everyone in a community practices kindness and respect?

      rules and laws become unnecessary
      everyone gets what they want all the time
      people become friends with everyone they meet
      Correct answer: safer, more positive communities where everyone can belong

      Q4.
      What's the most important reason to think about how your words and actions affect others?

      to make sure people like you and want to be your friend
      to avoid getting in trouble with teachers or parents/carers
      to follow rules and do what you're supposed to do
      Correct answer: to help prevent harm and make others feel included

      Q5.
      You see someone being teased for wearing clothes that are different from what most people wear. What should you do?

      Correct answer: tell a trusted adult and support the person
      join in so you don't become a target yourself
      stay quiet and hope someone else helps
      tell them they should dress more normally

      Q6.
      Which word describes welcoming all people equally, regardless of their differences?

      Correct Answer: inclusive

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the words to their correct definitions.

      Correct Answer:kindness,being nice, caring and thinking about how others feel
      Correct Answer:equality,the state of being equal, especially in status, rights & opportunities
      Correct Answer:respect,being considerate of others and the world around you

      Q2.
      A new student at school seems quiet and nervous on their first day. What's the most inclusive thing to do?

      Correct answer: smile, introduce yourself, and offer to help them find their way
      wait to see if they fit in before talking to them
      point out how different they seem to your friends
      ignore them so you don't say the wrong thing

      Q3.
      You notice someone struggling to carry heavy bags up some stairs. What shows the best understanding of community responsibility?

      assume they can manage on their own
      Correct answer: offer to help if they look like they need it
      only help if they ask you directly
      wait to see if someone else helps first

      Q4.
      Match each right with the responsibility that comes with it.

      Correct Answer:right to feel safe,help others feel secure too
      Correct Answer:right to express opinions,listen respectfully to others
      Correct Answer:right to be treated fairly,treat everyone with fairness
      Correct Answer:right to use public spaces,keep spaces clean and welcoming

      Q5.
      Your friend says "I don't need to be polite to the cashier at the shop because I don't know them." How would you respond?

      "You're right - politeness is only for people we care about."
      "It doesn't matter either way."
      "Only be polite if you want good customer service."
      Correct answer: "Kindness and respect are important with everyone, even strangers."

      Q6.
      Match each scenario with how it demonstrates community responsibility.

      Correct Answer:cleaning up after your dog,respecting shared spaces
      Correct Answer:speaking quietly in a library,following social expectations
      Correct Answer:giving up your seat for elderly person,caring for vulnerable community members
      Correct Answer:not dropping litter,protecting the environment for all

      To help you plan your 8 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Kindness in our community, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...