The Open Chat - Democracy & Diversity (KS3-5)
60-minute high quality, detailed & flexible workshops or assemblies.
Performed to students in small or large groups.
May suit carousel days or one-off visits. Available throughout the year.
How do the sessions run?
Our workshops are performed by 3 professional actors.
We start by breaking down what we are covering in the sessions: we explore the definitions, clarify facts and any laws surrounding the topic, and invite the students to answer questions and get involved.
The students are then shown scenes with characters in everyday, relatable situations.
We use elements of Augusto Boal's 'Forum Theatre: following scenes which see young characters with conflicting objectives, we freeze the action and split the audience into groups; the students are invited to advise the characters about what to do next. This is designed to allow students to articulate opinions and feelings in a safe, objective environment.
What We Cover
The 3 D's - Democracy, Diversity & Discrimination
Our Democracy & Diversity Workshop explores topics covered in the PSHE Suggested Programme of Study, Core Theme 3 (Wider World.)
We take a focused look at Diversity laws including Discrimination, Hate Crimes & Protected Characteristics (age, gender, religion/belief, race & heritage, sexual orientation, disability, marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy, gender re-assignment); understanding & combating discrimination and advocating diversity.
The students are invited to offer advice to a series of characters, including offering support to a young person who is being discriminated against due to their sexual orientation, and two peers with differing opinions on gender roles & stereotypes.
We conclude by outlining help and resources available.
We're more than happy to tailor the workshop upon request to focus on any issues you feel are particularly relevant to your students.
Included with the workshop
Teacher's further work pack
Why is it so important to discuss Democracy & Diversity with young people?
In a world where encouraging diversity and respecting each other's differences is paramount, it is important to educate young people about their rights as individuals and how to celebrate their uniqueness!
Ditch the Label’s 2020 Annual bullying survey of 7,347 12-20-year-olds showed that 59% were bullied because of their appearance and a notable proportion of bullying was prejudice based and due to attitudes towards a disability, race/culture, gender identity and sexual orientation.
A 2016 Inquiry carried out by the British Youth Council highlighted that "racism & religious discrimination remain an issue and a cause for concern in schools today."
UpFront Theatre Company's workshop will show the students situations, and get them thinking about respect, tolerance and how to understand everyone's differences.