VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM
How one primary school is addressing gender stereotypes in the classroom
at the school for two decades. Teaching is in my blood. My parents were teachers. So too were my grandparents. It’s so rewarding at the end of the academic year to see how far our pupils achieve and progress. And there are small, but significant areas that make this school special. For example, we ask our children to always consider our values – using our hand model to help us – the rule of law, liberty, respect for others, democracy and tolerance. All are woven into the very fabric of Brocks Hill.
I know acceptance is hugely important. Can you tell us why it is firmly part of the school’s DNA?
E
ducation Today speaks to Sim Street, Assistant Headteacher at Brocks Hill Primary School in Leicestershire.
Tell us about your Trust.
Brocks Hill is an oversubscribed two-form primary school that sits between two towns: Oadby and Wigston. We’re proud to be part of the Lionheart Educational Trust. I’ve been teaching
Talk to any of our pupils and you will find that they are able to articulate themselves very well. In fact, ask any child about our 6Rs and they’ll be able to tell you what, say, reciprocity means.
I’m intrigued. What are your 6Rs? They are attitudes to learning that we embed in our pupils – respect, responsibility, resourcefulness, resilience, reflection and reciprocity. Our children know they need to show
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reciprocity to others, be resourceful in class and have the ability to work in a team.
Brocks Hill recently introduced the Beyond Gender Stereotypes (BGS) curriculum developed by The Children’s Society Lifting Limits programme in partnership with the Global Boyhood Initiative. Can you tell us a little bit about the resource?
Beyond Gender Stereotypes is a free, evidence- based curriculum specifically designed for Key Stage 2. It aims to support both boys and girls to identify, understand and break free from gender stereotypes and empower them to build healthy relationships.
Can you tell us why Brocks Hill believes that addressing gender stereotypes is so important?
It is crucial that our children are able to talk to and learn from one another, and this means treating each other with respect. I can’t recall an incident where a boy won’t sit next to a girl or vice versa. In fact, at playtime, you’ll see boys playing football with girls. However, a couple of
February 2026
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