Teacher Notes
Before watching the film
This short film is suitable for 14-16 year olds however always make yourself familiar with the content and consider carefully whether it will be appropriate and of use for your specific cohort. (every class is different, even if they are in the same year group).
Check your school policies to make sure you follow school guidelines and talk to a member of the SLT (Senior Leadership Team) if in doubt about anything.
Check to see if any of your class have any child protection issues or are vulnerable children.
Once you are confident it is the right resource for your pupils, watch it through alone and consider how it would work best for you all.
This short film might also be useful for teachers to use in CPD sessions (Continuing Professional Development).
During the lesson/watching the film
Set up a working agreement with the class and create a list of ground rules for the session so everyone feels safe and able to talk and join in discussions without being judged. Remember to include a reminder to always talk to a trusted adult if anything in the film makes your students feel uncomfortable – perhaps create a list of ‘go-to’ people in the school with them.
You could start the lesson by discussing the title ‘Teaching Inclusivity at School’ and using this as a starter. (NB: Discussion can be in pairs, small groups or as a whole class – choose what works best for your pupils).
The film shows Mimi with some British teenagers in the Netherlands (one of the world leaders in sex education). Here they visit a secondary school where their sense of inclusion is very important.
It starts with Ms Bakker (a secondary teacher). She says, “The straight people are always in the majority and you also have the minority and you have to include them also.”
She goes on to explain that the schools vision is that “everybody accepts everybody, no matter what you are – if you’re gay, straight…”
What do your pupils think of this? Can they think of what the school might do to make this happen?
Alys talks about how she identifies as pansexual. She describes this by saying “your love is not limited by someone’s gender.” Do your class know any other sexualities or genders?
Maybe you could spend some time discussing these and understanding them. (*If you decide to do this be sure to do your research thoroughly first and always remember that not everyone conforms to a specific ‘label’ so it is always a good idea to ask someone how they identify themselves and never to assume).
Munashe talks about his concerns about being hom*ophobic because he says at first he felt a bit awkward at the LGBTQ+ party. He felt he didn’t fit in “with the vibes” so struggled a bit. He felt really worried he was hom*ophobic.
- Do your pupils think he is?
- Why do they think this?
- How would they feel at that party?
He goes on to say; “Growing up being black, I would like people to respect me for the human I am and not for the skin colour I am so I thought it’s the same for someone else and their sexuality so I thought I’ve got to respect them the way I want to be respected.” What do your pupils think about what he says here?
Have an open discussion and maybe let this conversation extend to consider the wider concept of respect.
Ms Bakker goes on to say how important inclusivity is. She says, “You want to give everybody a good feeling when you come to school and you don’t have to worry about, ‘oh, I’m Gay’, or somebody makes a fool of you or you’re not welcome.” Discuss what you all do in your school to promote inclusivity.
Alys reflects – she says when she came back from the Netherlands she felt a lot more open about herself. She decided to set up her own LGBTQ+ club called ‘Unity’ at her school. Could this work in your school? (Maybe pupils could develop this idea and set something similar up).
She goes on to say, “At the end of the day it’s teachers' responsibility to protect their students. The only way we can stop people from being ignorant and making ignorant comments is through educating them.” Do your pupils agree with this?
Maneshe finishes up supporting this when he says he “…now feels a lot more open minded as a heterosexual male…”
Ask the class:
- How do they think people can be better educated on LGBTQ+ issues in your school? Maybe they could write down their ideas and perhaps these could be shared with SLT and incorporated into the curriculum or school life.
At the end of your session allow time for any questions or further discussion, pull everything together and make sure you allow for some quiet reflection at the end.
Always check in with the group and remind them to talk to someone if anything they have seen or discussed has made them feel uncomfortable and always signpost where they can get further support or information both within and outside of school. ChildLine will talk to people right up to the age of 19 for support and is free to use.
