Friday, 20 March 2026

Disability is not a limitation

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy11q1pwpgo?amp;at_campaign=rss

What do you see in the picture? What do you notice, what are they doing, what do you think this story is about?

The picture shows model and writer Abena Christine Jon'el at a fashion show in Ghana last month. 

Abena wanted her appearance to make an impact at the show so she wrapped her prosthetic leg in something. Can you work out what her leg is wrapped in?

Abena wrapped her prosthetic leg in  Ghanian Kente.


Why do you think she did that?

Abena was born in America and moved to live in Ghana five years ago. She says, "I am Ghanian by ancestry and adoption. I am not African because I was born in Africa, but because Africa was born in me. That is exactly what Ghana is to me."

What does Abena mean by this, can you explain it in other words?

Abena wanted to make a statement about the visibility of people with disabilities. 

Abena talks about being a child with disability. Following an illness, Abena had her leg amputated aged 2. She says, "Movement became a way of measuring survival and rebuilding confidence. In a way it was taking ownership of a body that had been through so much."

Why/ how  is movement a way of measuring survival?
Why does Abena say she wants to take ownership of her body?

Abena became a writer and a speaker. Here philosophy is, "Let me hold a mirror so you can see yourself and what you can accomplish if you believe."

What do you think that means?

Kente is a traditional handwoven textile celebrated for it's vibrant colours and deep cultural symbolism. Abena wants Ghanian's to see disabled people as they are: ambitious, stylish, talented, complex, proud and human.

"Disability is not a limitation. Having a disability is not what makes you disabled."

What does Abena mean by that?

"Lack of support, lack of accessibility, that's what makes you disabled."

What is a lack of accessibility?

When Abena stepped on to the runway wearing the flag, she received lots of praise. Her walk was the most talked about moments of the night. The fashion show organiser said, "Her walk was a powerful affirmation that talent, beauty and confidence know no limitations."

Another comment was, "This is what true inclusion looks like, celebrating every story, every body and every ability."

Why wrap her prosthetic leg in the Kente, why not wear t as a headscarf or cloak?
Do you think without the kente, this story would have had such impact?
Do you agree with the definition of inclusion? What is true in inclusion for you?

For Abena, the most important message was that disabled people were not just spectators, they were centre stage. Abena wants inclusion "not to be quietly suggested, but boldly demanded."

Which protected characteristics does this story cover?

Why is this about No Outsiders?
Which British Value is this about?

Do you want this assembly as a power point with Oracy sentence stems? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org


No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 







 


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Friday, 13 March 2026

Ideas can change

 

https://onefootball.com/en/news/elland-road-applauds-ramadan-break-during-leeds-uniteds-fa-cup-win-over-norwich-42526050

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-daniel-farke-elland-road-norwich-city-5624287

What do you see in the photo? Where is this taken, what do you think is happening, what do you think the story might be?

This story is a follow up from the assembly last week.

What was the assembly last week about?

Last week we talked about a football match at Elland Rd where Muslim players were booed as the game was stopped for 78 seconds so that Muslim players who were celebrating Ramadan could break their fast. There were different responses to that behaviour and we talked about what we say at our school to respect different religions.

Last weekend fans went to watch Leeds United play Norwich at Elland Rd and again the game was stopped at sunset to respect those celebrating Ramadan so they could break their fast. But this time something different happened in the crowd. 

What do you think happened this time?

This time when Muslim players broke their fast and the game was stopped, the crowd cheered and applauded.

Why do you think that happened?

Leeds manager Daniel Farke said, "Football shows how people from different passports, cultures and religions can unite behind one goal." He said the cheering was a perfect message. "Football is a perfect example of how the world should be united. The world can learn from how football brings people together from different cultures."

What does he mean by that?
Why is the cheering a perfect message?

Daniel talked about last week and said, "It was not a piece of how we should live together as human beings."

How should we live together as human beings?

Last week the response from Daniel Farke when fans booed was very different. Last week Daniel said, "I was focused on the game. Disappointed with some fans and we learn from it."

Compare Daniel's responses over the last two weeks; what do you notice, why do you think he has changed his response?

It's interesting that fans booed last week and cheered this week. How can that happen?
Perhaps there were different fans at this game - do you think that is the reason?
If someone has racist ideas, can those ideas change? How can they change? Can they change in 7 days?

What can we learn from Leeds fans and this story?
What can we learn about football?
Why is this about No Outsiders?
Which British Value is this about?

Do you want this assembly as a power point with Oracy sentence stems? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org


No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 




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Thursday, 5 March 2026

Ramadan football

 

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13513536/pep-guardiola-tells-fans-to-respect-religion-after-ramadan-break-booed-during-man-citys-win-at-leeds

What do you see in the photo? Where do you think it was taken, what is the story here?

The photo shows screens last week at the Man City v Leeds match at Elland Road in Leeds. 

What is Ramadan? What is a fast? Why did the game stop so players could  "break their fast" - what does that mean?

In the 13th minute as the sun set at 5:42 there was a short break in the game so that players who were taking part in daily fasting could take food and drink on the touchline.

Why didn't they wait till half time?
How long do you think the play stopped for?

The play stopped for 78 seconds. 

What do you think happened when the game stopped?

When the game stopped, some members of the crowd at Elland Rd booed loudly.

Why do you think they did that? 
What does that show about some people in the UK today?
What do you think is the impact on the players and on other supporters when they hear boos? 

The Man City boss Pep Guardiola spoke about the break in the play after the game. He said, "It's the modern world, right?" 

What does he mean by that?

Pep continued; "Respect the religion, respect the diversity. That's the point. It's the rule. We didn't say that, it was the Premier League who said: for the fasting, you can spend one or two minutes in the game to do that, for the players to do it. So yeah, it is what it is. Unfortunate."

What do you think of Pep Guardiola's response? (interesting, for example that he implies it's not their rule, it's the premier League rule. also "It is what it is" - Is he saying "It's not my fault"?)

Leeds Assistant manager Daniel Farke also commented after the game; "I was focused on the game. Disappointed with some supporters and we learn from it"

What do you think of these responses? Are they strong enough?
How do you think a manager should respond to racism? (is this racism?)
Is there a law about this in the UK?

Kick It Out is a charity campaigning against discrimination in football. They said,
"It is massively disappointing that some Leeds United fans jeered when Manchester City's players broke their fast during the first half of the match at Elland Road this evening. Pausing the game to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan has been an agreed protocol for several years now. It's an important and visible part of making the game visible for Muslim players and communities."

Why do you think Kick It Out want Muslim players and communities to feel they are visible in football?

"But as tonight's reaction shows, football still has a long way to go in terms of education and acceptance"

Why use the words education and acceptance?
How does this response differ to the responses from the two managers? 
What advice would you give to the managers on responding to this behaviour if it happened again?

If you were at the match and the person next to you started booing when the players stopped for 78 seconds, if you felt safe enough to speak up, what could you say to the person booing?
If you don't say anything, what will the person booing assume?
How do we stop this happening in the future? Should we cancel all football games during religious festivals?
What do we say at our school about respecting different religion and belief?

Why is this about No Outsiders?
Which British Value is this about?


Do you want this assembly as a power point with Oracy sentence stems? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org


No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 


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