Talk for Change continues to take place weekly across the school.  The children are in mixed house teams from year 1 to year 6 across the school.  They are given the opportunity to develop a safe culture where they can discuss topical issues, broaden their horizons and their experiences, open their eyes to diversity and equality around them; it allows them the opportunity to discuss changes that are happening in school and across the wider community, and give their views on what life is like for a child at Great Wakering Primary Academy.   It is an opportunity for all children to have their voices heard. 

In the half term between October and Christmas, as a school we focus on equality and diversity through the medium of children’s picture books.  The children discuss what equality and diversity means and looks like; they discuss the Equality Act and how this impacts on their everyday lives; and they have spoken about differences in behaviours and attitudes.

The books used the second autumn half term included:

• Mixed by Arree Chung

• Blue Chameleon by Emily Gravett

• Going to the Volcano by Andy Stanton

• Dogs don’t do Ballet by Anna Kemp and Sara Ogilvie

In their first session, the children responded well and discussed some of their own barriers that makes them feel different to others.

In the first spring half term, the discussions have a focus on curriculum feedback, looking at Computing and English - online safety, computer science and information technology, and reading.  This information is then handed to the subject leads for that area to support their ongoing work with their SEFs, action plans and staff CPD.

In the final week of the half term, the children look at ‘risks in the community’.  They discuss what they consider to be risks, how they assess risks, who is responsible for identifying and resolving risks, and what they can do themselves to resolve risks.

In the second half of the Spring Term, the focus will shift back to equality and diversity with four new books being introduced to the children.  This allows further opportunities for the children to understand differences and apply their knowledge of the school value of ‘respect’.

The books that will be used for this rotation include:

• A Handful of Buttons

• How to be a Lion

• We’re all Wonders

• The Only Way is Badger

Within these sessions, the children will look at what makes a family and understanding family diversity; to have self-confidence – to know what this means and to help others feel confident; to know what a bystander is and how people can feel hurt by different actions, including no action; and consider language and freedom of speech, how language can be used to persuade others and know how important pupil voice is.

In the first summer half term, the discussions have a focus on curriculum feedback, looking at Music, History, Geography, Art and RE.  This information again is then handed to the subject leads for that area to support their ongoing work with their SEFs, action plans and staff CPD.

In the final summer half term, we focus back on equality and diversity, and a further four new books being introduced to the children.  The children have further opportunities to develop their understanding of respect and tolerance.

The books used in this rotation include:

• Rose Blanche (following on from ‘The Only Way is Badger – Spring 2)

• And Tango Makes Three (following on from ‘A Handful of Buttons – Spring 2)

• Can I Join Your Club?

• Red: A Crayon’s Story (Online)

Within these sessions, the children will look at justifying actions and knowing that sometimes we all have to make difficult decisions; they look at the true meaning of family, exchange in dialogue, express an opinion, and know there are different ideas about equality around the world; welcoming different people, knowing that we are all different, knowing how to maintain friendships and not leave people out; and finally, to be proud of themselves, knowing that sometimes people do not speak up but that everyone in this school should be proud of who they are.

Talk for Change