What is No Outsiders? What is an outsider?

Someone who feels left out, who feels like they don’t belong and are not welcome. We want schools to be teaching that there are no outsiders because everyone is welcome. A four-year-old understands what it feels like to be left out and does not want to be left out. We need to create classroom environments where no child feels left out; every child needs to be taught that they belong. As children grow up, they can sometimes learn that difference is a barrier to friendship. Our aim is to remove that barrier; to quote the Ofsted handbook (2021), we want children to see that ‘difference is a positive, not a negative’. After all, we are all different: none of us is exactly the same; we are all unique.

As they move through school, we want children to explore their differences so that they feel comfortable in their own skin. Children should know who they are and feel proud to be who they are, and also know that they are accepted without judgement. No child should feel that they have to change who they are in order to fit in. So how do we do this? We have an ethos that is backed up by language and behaviour.

All children are taught from their first year in school that we are all different and we like that. Wouldn’t the world be boring if we were all the same?

In Reception and Years 1 and 2, we use picture books where characters are different, and we show that they are also friends and they play together. We make sure that there are characters that look different in the hope that children will see themselves reflected in those books: “I am different too and that’s ok.” As children move up the school into Years 3, 4, 5 and 6, we explore reasons why some people might feel left out. After all, it is a fact that prejudice and discrimination exist, and children are going to experience it at some point. We need to prepare them, give them confidence to disagree when they hear prejudice, and show them that they are not alone. No Outsiders gives children the language to challenge prejudice and show acceptance. Not only will they feel safe knowing they belong, they can also show others that they too are safe: “I will be your friend. You belong here. You don’t have to change; there are no outsiders.”

The Equality Act 2010:

British law

Difference is protected under British law. There are very clear aims in the Equality Act that provide guidance for schools. As public bodies, we need to:

• Have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination

• Advance equality of opportunity

• Foster good relations between different people when carrying out their activities.

The Equality Act references nine ‘protected characteristics’; these are groups of people. No one should face discrimination because of:

• Race

• Religion

• Sex

• Gender reassignment

• Age

• Disabilities

• Sexual orientation

• Pregnancy or maternity

• Marriage or civil partnership

So how do we talk about these different groups in an age-appropriate way to young primary school children? We use picture books that show different people in stories, and we make sure that children understand that no matter who you are, you are welcome in our school. Through our PDL (personal development lessons) children will explore 'difference, diversity and the equalities act' through the use of texts, JIGSAW lessons and 6 strands.