Protected Characteristics
The 2010 Equality Act makes it an offense to discriminate against a person due to there protected characteristic(s).
At Sacred Heart, we believe that every child should grow up understanding the importance of respect, equality, and kindness. Learning about the protected characteristics — such as race, religion, gender, disability, and others — helps our pupils appreciate what makes each person unique and why everyone deserves to be treated fairly.
We introduce these ideas in an age-appropriate way through Picture News, a weekly resource that brings current events and real-world stories into the classroom. Each week, children explore a thought-provoking question linked to a topical issue and discuss it through the lens of the protected characteristics.
This approach helps our pupils to:
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Develop empathy and respect for others.
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Understand fairness, justice, and equality.
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Learn to express opinions confidently and listen to different perspectives.
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Connect what they learn in school to the wider world around them.
By discussing real-life stories in a safe and supportive environment, our children learn that everyone has the right to feel safe, valued, and included — both in our school community and beyond.
Protected characteristics are also woven through our PSHE curriculum and Character Education.