​​These resources provide the opportunity for teachers to explore the issue of sectarianism in a safe and challenging environment and address the following points:

• Explore the attitudes and beliefs that people grow up with.
• Develop an understanding of bigotry and sectarianism.
• Explore sectarianism in their communities as a whole.
• Identify ways in which attitudes and values are formed.
• Develop different strategies for challenging bigotry and sectarianism.
• Recognise that change is everyone’s responsibility.

This work has been embedded for a number of years and has continually been enhanced and developed over time by experienced teaching staff. This work has resulted in this pack which is the most up to date version available to schools and teachers.

Explore this resource

What is the Divided City novel study?

The Divided City novel study provides an engaging and stimulating context within which to teach awareness and understanding of a range of challenging real world issues including sectarianism, our treatment of refugees, gang violence and poverty. The resource also provides an opportunity for the development of literacy skills and higher order thinking skills.

The content is best delivered with knowledge of the working definition of sectarianism and also an awareness of the historical context which it has been developed from.

It is recommended that staff read Tackling sectarianism: An overview of resources and use the Timeline professional learning resource as preparation for delivering this anti-sectarianism resource.

Download

A USB memory stick of the resource is available by e-mailing Mark.Adams@glasgow.gov.uk

How to use this learning and assessment resource to improve practice

The activities included in this resource create a space for pupils to explore the themes of prejudice, discrimination and bigotry; there is an opportunity for teachers to deliver the session within a wider inclusion-focused project.

Many schools have used the resources to initiate discussions and have followed this up by including additional topics (i.e. Holocaust education, gender-based violence, global education and citizenship).

There is much opportunity for a detailed study of the issues covered in the novel, including sectarianism and bigotry, friendship, the use of language, the history around sectarianism and related subjects.

What does the resource include?

The resource includes a variety of items such as letter templates for communication with parents and worksheets. The modular style of the resource allows practitioners to shape the project to meet the needs of their own learners within their own community environment, making the experience as relevant as possible.

What age group is the resource aimed at?

The resource has been specifically designed for Primary 6 and Primary 7. However, in the majority of schools, P7 has been identified as the ideal stage for a number of reasons, including:

• P7 children are potential role models for their younger peers.
• P7 children are old enough to understand the key concepts without being too closed in their thinking.
• The novel study prepares P7 children for wider influences across the community which they may experience in their move to secondary education.

Improvement questions

• How does this work link with the protected characteristics that are defined by the Equality Act, 2010? Think wider than religion.
• To what extent do our learners understand the concept of sectarianism?
• Do we offer our learners the opportunity to explore their own life experiences in relation to sectarianism?
• How far as a school community do we challenge bigotry prejudice and discrimination towards members, or presumed members, of a religious denomination?