Good Idea: Lesson for primary pupils on gender stereotyping

Provider Soho Primary School and Breakthrough
Name The Gender Stereotypes Project
Summary A London primary school is introducing a programme that explores the influence of gender stereotypes, following concerns from pupils and parents that stereotyping could stop children from fulfilling their potential

Children at Soho Parish Primary School in Westminster are set to experience a teaching programme that will introduce them to the concept of gender stereotyping.

Run by newly formed organisation Breakthrough, the two-week project will encourage children to think about gender across a range of subjects. In history lessons, this will include how gender roles have changed and in English lessons the children will look at what part language has to play in the portrayal of gender. Pupils will also examine how statistics can help to understand and analyse gender roles in maths lessons, and in literature classes they will explore how fiction represents the different sexes.

Dr Laura Nelson, co-founder of Breakthrough, led a campaign calling on the toy store Hamleys to remove the “boy” and “girl” labels for toys.

“At a time when the country needs innovation skills to boost the economy, young girls are veering away from subjects such as maths and engineering and men are still more likely to start a business,” she explains.
“It does not make economic or social sense that the two halves of the population are getting different messages that certain routes aren’t right for them.”

During the programme, the children will discuss whether they agree with marketing of clothes and toys; whether boys and girls are better at different skills and subjects at school; and whether boys and girls should have different career aspirations.

Year 5 teacher Laura Kirsop says: “Many of my female pupils hated the fact that they were only offered pink clothes and dolls in shops while their male friends were offered jeans and toy helicopters.

“We’re hoping that the next two weeks will show them that they shouldn’t feel restricted by stereotypes in wider society.”