Stand Up, Speak Out: A Drama Workshop Tackling Misogyny & Toxic Masculinity for KS2

Prejudice and gender bias are part of everyday life for many young people, often before they have the words to name them. Bigfoot’s misogyny workshop for KS2 uses drama, roleplay and group discussion to help pupils in Years 4 to 6 recognise sexism and discriminatory behaviour, understand unconscious bias and discover how to be an active bystander when something isn’t right. A timely and thoughtfully designed PSHE programme for primary schools.

The workshop opens with a question: What do you actually picture when you hear the words bus driver, nurse, ballet dancer, footballer? Through a guided visualisation, pupils discover how often their imaginations default to gender, and begin to understand what bias is and how it forms. From there the session moves into a series of Red Light Green Light scenarios, asking pupils to identify healthy and harmful behaviour and think about why certain assumptions about gender persist in their schools, their media and their lives.

The second part of the session introduces the concept of the active bystander through the Stop, Think, Act framework. Using a series of mini scenarios covering sexist language, gender stereotyping and social exclusion, groups work through what they would say and do, practising responses through roleplay and discussion. Pupils leave with a genuine understanding of prejudice, empathy and equality, and the confidence to trust their instincts when something feels wrong. Bigfoot’s safeguarding approach runs throughout, with time given to identifying trusted adults and school support systems.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Define and distinguish between key terms: prejudice, bias, sexism, discrimination and controlling behaviour
• Recognise gender bias and understand how unconscious assumptions contribute to sexism and inequality
• Identify healthy and harmful behaviour and develop language to name and challenge what they see
• Understand and apply the active bystander principle using the Stop, Think, Act framework
• Build confidence in speaking up when something is wrong and knowing where to find support

NATIONAL CURRICLUM LINKS

• PSHE (KS2): Recognising and challenging discrimination; understanding rights and responsibilities; developing empathy and respect for difference; keeping safe and recognising harmful behaviour
• English (Speaking and Listening): Participating in structured debate and discussion; developing vocabulary; forming and expressing viewpoints clearly and respectfully
• Drama: Roleplay, scenario work and freeze frames; using drama techniques to explore social themes and rehearse real-world responses
• Citizenship: Understanding British values of equality and respect; exploring fairness, community responsibility and rights
• Personal Development: Moral and social development through themes of fairness, empathy and speaking up; building confidence and a sense of personal responsibility

FORMAT

Target Audience: KS2 (Years 4 to 6)

Session Time: 60 minutes per class

Capacity: One class per session (up to 35 pupils)

Also Available: 90 minute twilight teacher INSET

HOW TO ENQUIRE & BOOK

For us to quote your school and offer availability, please fill out the form below and tell us the year groups and how many classes you would like us to work with, along with any specific dates. We promise to respond to you within 24 hours. Important: if you haven’t heard from us, you may need to check your folder of doom (spam folder) where our emails may occasionally end up!