Stand Up, Speak Out – KS3
Challenging Sexism, Controlling Behaviour and Discriminatory Language
Stand Up, Speak Out is a powerful drama based workshop designed specifically for Key Stage 3 students. The session supports young people to recognise harmful attitudes, challenge discriminatory behaviour and develop the confidence to respond safely when they witness unfairness. Delivered by Bigfoot Arts Education, this interactive sixty minute workshop provides a structured and safeguarding led space for students to examine everyday sexism, misogynistic language, coercive peer dynamics and unhealthy stereotypes.
The workshop takes place in a hall or large classroom space where students work in a circle to encourage equality of voice and open discussion. The tone is reflective, direct and age appropriate, allowing honest exploration of sensitive topics while maintaining emotional safety. Clear ground rules are established at the beginning of the session and students are reminded of school support systems throughout.
The focus of the workshop is to help students recognise sexist, prejudiced and controlling behaviour, understand how bias and stereotypes influence attitudes, examine how language shapes school culture and develop empathy and respectful communication. Students are also introduced to practical active bystander strategies that prioritise safety and accountability. This is preventative education designed to address harmful narratives before they escalate or become embedded within peer culture.
By the end of the session students will be able to confidently identify harmful or controlling behaviour, recognise everyday discriminatory language, understand the difference between bias, prejudice and discrimination and describe safe options for responding when they witness unfair treatment. Students are also reminded where and how to seek support within school.
The session begins with a safe introduction that sets behaviour expectations and includes a content notice. A short interactive activity gauges baseline understanding and gently introduces themes such as prejudice, sexism and exclusion. Students then work together to define key terms including bias, prejudice, discrimination, sexism, controlling behaviour, empathy and misogyny. Establishing shared language ensures clarity before moving into applied discussion.
Through an interactive activity students physically respond to scenarios by identifying whether behaviour is healthy or harmful. Examples include ignoring a girl’s idea but praising a boy for the same suggestion, mocking a boy for doing gymnastics or a friend deciding who someone is allowed to spend time with. These discussions highlight how sexism can affect all genders and explore the early signs of coercive or controlling behaviour.
Students are then guided through a reflective exercise exploring unconscious assumptions shaped by media, peer culture and online spaces. A clear framework demonstrates how bias can develop into prejudice and then into discrimination if left unchallenged. Where appropriate, discussion may also explore how gender bias can intersect with race, religion or disability. This section supports critical thinking and awareness of how attitudes are formed.
The workshop introduces a simple and memorable active bystander framework. Students learn to stop and notice when something is not right, think about why the behaviour is harmful and act in a way that is safe. The emphasis is always on personal safety. Acting might mean challenging respectfully, supporting the person affected or speaking to a trusted adult.
In small groups students apply this framework to realistic Key Stage 3 scenarios such as comments about gender roles, controlling friendship dynamics or discriminatory remarks. They identify what is problematic and consider safe responses. The session concludes with reflection and a reminder that there are many ways to act and that delaying and reporting concerns is always valid.
The workshop uses drama based techniques including structured discussion, role exploration, freeze frame work and collaborative problem solving. This methodology increases engagement while encouraging shared responsibility and student voice.
Stand Up, Speak Out supports statutory Relationships and Sex Education guidance as well as safeguarding, behaviour and inclusion priorities. It provides schools with a proactive approach to addressing misogynistic narratives, promoting respectful relationships and strengthening active bystander culture. By equipping students with language, awareness and practical strategies, the workshop contributes to building a safer and more respectful school environment.
If you would like to discuss delivery for your Key Stage 3 cohort or explore booking availability, please fill out the form and give us the following information for a bespoke quotation:
- What year groups do you want to target
- How many classes do you havce in each year
- How many periods do you have in a school day
- How long is each period
