KS4 PSHE: Is this sexual harassment?

Secondary Resources > PSHE KS4

Summary of the films

A specially written drama in three parts tells the story of a professional relationship between a man and woman at work, which involves an accusation of sexual harassment and an employment tribunal hearing.

Each film is accompanied by a separate discussion piece hosted by journalist and presenter Ben Zand, and brings together 20 people aged 18 to 30 to examine how they understand the rules of behaviour in the workplace.

Over the course of two days, the group watch the drama and are given the opportunity to vote on the behaviour displayed, judging whether they believe it is offensive or unwanted.

Following the final film and discussion the group take a vote on whether they believe it constitutes sexual harassment.

The discussion group also hear directly from people whose lives have been affected by sexual harassment, a man who was the subject of a false accusation of harassment, a woman who was harassed at work and a barrister who lays down the law and answers the question posed by the drama - is this sexual harassment?

Advice for use in the classroom

The films are suitable for 14-16 year olds, however we advise making yourself familiar with the content and considering carefully whether it will be appropriate and of use for your specific cohort.

Check your school policies to make sure you follow school guidelines and talk to a member of the SLT if in doubt about anything.

Check to see if any of your class have any child protection issues – e.g. abuse or sexual harassment.

Once you are confident it is the right resource for your pupils, watch it through alone and jot down your thoughts, questions and reactions to the drama as it unfolds.

You may decide not to tell your class that this is a film about sexual harassment until the end. By doing this you will enable them to approach it with an open mind and really explore and debate their views without having any pre-judgement.

If your students need support

You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.

If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are more links to helpful organisations on BBC Action Line.

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