Make it stand out
Days of Significance.
International Non-Binary Persons Day
International Non-Binary Persons Day
This day celebrates people whose gender identity doesn’t fit within the traditional binary of male or female. It’s a time to raise awareness about non-binary identities, affirm and support non-binary individuals, and promote understanding and inclusion. The date 14 July falls exactly between International Women’s Day (8 March) and International Men’s Day (19 November), symbolising the spectrum beyond the binary.
Activities:
Design a Flag: Create flags or badges using the non-binary colours (yellow, white, purple, black) with empowering messages or identity symbols.
"Beyond the Binary" Poster Challenge: Illustrate or design posters that explore and explain the concept of non-binary identities.
Pronoun Button Making: Use stickers or badge templates to make personalised pronoun buttons or stickers.
Genderbread Person Activity: Use the popular “Genderbread Person” graphic to explore the differences between gender identity, gender expression, and sex.
Affirmation Station: Create or decorate cards with phrases like “You are valid,” “Be proud of who you are,” or “All identities belong.”
School-wide Awareness:
Mini Assembly or Video Spotlight: Share stories, experiences, or interviews of non-binary people (age-appropriate) to build empathy and awareness.
Form Time Topic: Discussion on what it means to be non-binary, and why representation and respect matter. Include myth-busting questions.
Display Board: Feature the non-binary flag, identity definitions, quotes from non-binary individuals, and student artwork.
Inclusive Language Posters: Promote phrases like “everyone,” “they/them,” and “students” to replace gendered terms in everyday school talk.
Dress in Non-Binary Colours Day: Invite students and staff to wear yellow, white, purple, or black to show solidarity.
Book Display: Include books featuring non-binary characters or authors (like “They, She, He, Me: Free to Be!” or “Felix Ever After” for older readers).
Social Media:
Student-Created Graphics: Share student art, flag designs, or digital posters made for the day.
“Did You Know?” Posts: Daily facts leading up to 14 July—e.g. “Did you know some cultures have long recognised more than two genders?”
Staff & Student Shoutouts: Anonymous or volunteered quotes from the school community about what gender diversity or being an ally means to them.
Terminology Carousel: Posts explaining terms like non-binary, genderfluid, agender, etc., in a clear, respectful way.
Affirmation Quotes: Share one affirmation or positive message every hour (or a few throughout the day).
Reel or Story Template: “I’m an ally because…” – students and staff fill in their answer with a selfie or message.
World Suicide Prevention Day
World Suicide Prevention Day
Focuses on raising awareness about suicide prevention.
Activities:
Mental health workshops: Teach coping strategies and resilience.
Support circles: Provide spaces for open discussions. Have students write down or draw people and places they can go for help when feeling overwhelmed.
Resource sharing: Distribute information on where to seek help.
Kindness Jars: Have students write anonymous messages of encouragement, survival or hope on slips of paper. These can be left in form rooms for students to read when needed.
Gym Access: Open the gym after school and invite students to build health habits
Learn A New Skill: Learning a new skill can be a great coping strategy so ask staff if they can share any skills with students during the group.
School-wide Awareness:
Moment of silence to honour lives lost.
Display helpline numbers and support services
Share information and organisations on social media
Breakfast Morning: Invite students in for a hot chocolate or board games morning to encourage open conversations, connection and support in a relaxed setting. While suicide affects people of all genders, research shows that men are at a higher risk, often due to stigma around speaking up or seeking help. This breakfast would be an opportunity to show that no one is alone, and that it's okay to talk and lean on one another. Consider having staff or local organisations come in to offer support and informal chats with students. Also consider having groups with conversation cards to prompt discussions amongst the students.
Introduce a letter box or advertise any current services where students can report concerns relating to mental health
Social media posts sharing mental health organisations.
Bi-Visibility Day
Bi-Visibility Day
Celebrates bisexual individuals and raises awareness about bi-erasure.
Activities:
Panel discussions: Invite bisexual speakers to share experiences.
Educational quizzes: Test knowledge on bisexuality myths and facts.
Art installations: Create displays celebrating bisexual culture.
Discussion: “What misconceptions have you experienced or heard of?”
Social Media: Students could share reviews of their favourite shows, films, books or celebrities that showcase bisexual representation.
School-wide Awareness:
Decorate spaces with bi-pride colours.
Share stories and achievements of bisexual individuals.
Use social media to share stories, reduce stigma and educate around misconceptions of bisexuality.
Macmillan Coffee Morning
Macmillan Coffee Morning
Macmillan Coffee Morning is a nationwide fundraising event in the UK to support Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides care and services for people affected by cancer.
Fun Activities:
Bake Sale or Bake-Off: Students bake (or decorate) cakes and treats to sell or judge.
Cake Decorating Station: Let students decorate cupcakes with icing and sprinkles.
Coffee Cup Art Challenge: Design creative coffee cup sleeves with uplifting messages.
Kindness Token Jar: Write encouraging notes or wishes for those affected by cancer.
Guess the Cake Game: A fun quiz or challenge where students guess cake flavours or weights.
Whole-School Awareness Ideas:
Host a School-Wide Coffee Morning: Invite staff, parents, and students to attend and donate.
Macmillan Green Day: Students wear green to raise awareness, with optional donation.
Assembly or Video Presentation: Share stories about Macmillan’s work and how donations help.
Decorate the Hall or Classroom: Use Macmillan’s colours (green, white, purple) with posters and bunting.
Form Time Focus: Use time for discussion around cancer support, empathy, and community action.
Create a ‘Wall of Support’: Students can write supportive messages on a display board.
Black History Month
Black History Month
A month to celebrate the achievements, contributions, and history of Black individuals and communities, while also raising awareness of ongoing struggles against racism and inequality.
Fun Activities:
Create “Hall of Fame” posters of inspiring Black figures.
Host spoken word or poetry slams on themes of identity and resilience.
Design art or collage projects based on Black history or culture.
Watch age-appropriate films followed by group discussion.
Cook traditional dishes from African and Caribbean cuisines.
Whole-School Ideas:
Assembly on key figures in Black history.
Daily “Did You Know?” announcements about Black pioneers.
School-wide art display or timeline wall.
Book corner or library display featuring Black authors.
Invite local Black artists, authors, or speakers for workshops.
National Coming Out Day
National Coming Out Day
A day to support individuals in the LGBTQ+ community in coming out and to promote a culture of openness and acceptance.
Activities:
Discussion Circles: Facilitate conversations about the importance of authenticity and support and discuss various orientations like bisexuality, pansexual etc.
Sharing Wall: Students can write supportive messages or coming out stories (anonymously or not) on a public display/social media.
“I’m an Ally because…” Poster Activity: Students and staff write why they’re allies on posters to be displayed publicly.
Library Stock: Create a book display in the library of LGBTQ+ books
Representation: Have students think about their favourite TV/Film coming out scenes and share them online
Power of a Parent: Make posters about how parents can have conversations or tips around students coming out.
School-Wide Awareness:
Bulletin Boards: Showcase stories and quotes about coming out experiences.
Morning Announcements: Share facts and messages of support.
Wear Rainbow Colours: Encourage students and staff to wear rainbow attire to show solidarity
Anonymous Q&A Box: Provide a safe space for students to anonymously ask questions about coming out, identity, or allyship. Answer them during form time or in assemblies.
International Pronoun Day
International Pronoun Day
Encourages respect for individuals' chosen pronouns.
Activities:
Pronoun workshops: Educate on the importance of correct pronoun usage.
Badge-making: Create pronoun badges or stickers for students and staff. Have a table in the canteen during lunch taking request for custom made ones.
Role-playing: Practice introducing oneself with pronouns.
Comic Books: Have students make their own comic books with diverse stories.
Poster/Display Making: Create posters or displays about the importance of pronouns and respecting other people.
Discussions: “How would it feel if people got your name or pronouns wrong regularly?”
School-wide Awareness:
Include pronouns in email signatures and name tags.
Display posters explaining various pronouns.
Offer pronoun badges for all students and staff.
Show Racism the Red Card (Wear Red Day)
Show Racism The Red Card - Wear Red Day
Wear Red Day - Show Racism the Red Card - Link
Show Racism the Red Card is the UK’s leading anti-racism education charity. Wear Red Day is their annual event encouraging everyone to wear red to visibly show support for anti-racism work. It's an opportunity to educate young people about racism, challenge stereotypes, and promote a more inclusive and equal society.
Activities:
Wear Red for a Reason: Invite everyone to wear red and write on a card or sticker: “I wear red because…” followed by a message of solidarity or equality.
Anti-Racism Poster Challenge: Design posters with slogans like “Different is Powerful” or “United Against Racism.”
Handprint Pledge Wall: Students write anti-racism pledges on red paper handprints to form a giant school-wide display.
Storytime or Book Corner: Read and discuss age-appropriate books on race, identity, and justice (e.g. “The Proudest Blue,” “Skin Again,” “This Book is Anti-Racist”).
Create a Poem or Spoken Word Piece: Invite students to express themselves through creative writing or performance around the theme of inclusion and respect.
School-wide Awareness:
School-Wide Assembly or Video: Focus on the importance of challenging racism, the work of Show Racism The Red Card and the power of speaking up.
Classroom Discussions:
What is racism?
How can we stand up to racism in school, online, or in the community?
Why is allyship important?
Display Board: Feature red-themed art, pledges, facts about racism, and quotes from anti-racist activists.
Anti-Racism Charter: Work with students to co-create a set of inclusive values for your school, signed by each form or class.
Form Time Challenges:
Research famous anti-racism activists (e.g. Marcus Rashford, Rosa Parks, Malala Yousafzai).
Share anonymous student experiences of discrimination (with consent) to spark empathy and discussion.
Fund Raising:
Sell student made items like red crocheted hearts or a red themed bake sale and use the money to donate to the cause or have ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ come out for student workshops.
social Media:
#WearRedDay Photo Collage: Share photos of students and staff wearing red, with captions explaining why they support anti-racism.
Student Quotes Graphics: "I wear red because..." – post student messages with illustrations or flag icons.
Short Video or Reel: Create a 30-60 second video featuring students holding signs with anti-racism messages or reading a collective poem.
Myth-Busting Carousel: Educate your followers with a slide set busting common myths about racism and bias.
Call to Action Post: Encourage the wider community to join in by wearing red and donating to Show Racism the Red Card.
Diwali: Dhanteras
Day 1: Dhanteras
Dhanteras marks the beginning of Diwali and is associated with wealth, prosperity, and good health. People clean their homes and purchase new items, especially metal (like kitchenware or jewellery), as it’s believed to bring good luck.
Fun Activities:
Make mini paper diyas or make and decorate tealight holders with air dry clay.
Craft your own “good luck coins” with foil or gold card.
Design and decorate paper shopping bags to symbolise new purchases.
Create social media posts educating people on Dhanteras
Whole-School Ideas:
Run a “Clean and Green” classroom challenge to tidy and refresh learning spaces.
Share facts about Dhanteras in form time.
Display board on symbols of wealth and health in different cultures.
Diwali: Kali Chaudas / Narak Chaturdashi
Day 2: Kali Chaudas / Naraka Chaturdashi
This day is observed differently across regions. In many parts of India, it's called Choti Diwali and marks the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. In Gujarat and some other regions, it is also known as Kali Chaudas, a day associated with removing negativity, self-reflection, and spiritual cleansing. People light lamps, take ritual baths, and perform puja to ward off evil energies.
Fun Activities:
Good vs Evil Art: Create artwork or comic strips retelling the story of Narakasura or depicting personal acts of courage and kindness.
Inner Light Reflection: Write about how we overcome our own "inner demons" (like fear or anger) and how we bring light into others’ lives.
Spiritual Cleansing Craft: Make a "negativity jar" – write down worries or fears, seal them away, and replace with positive affirmations.
Bath Salts: Make your own bath salts
Social Media: Share information on social media
Whole-School Awareness Ideas:
Morning Reflection or Guided Meditation: Encourage a quiet moment to reflect on self-improvement or gratitude.
School-wide “Acts of Light” Campaign: Promote acts of kindness to symbolise the removal of darkness.
Hallway Display: “From Darkness to Light” theme with student-created art or quotes on overcoming challenges.
Mini-Assembly or Video: Share the stories of Kali Chaudas and Naraka Chaturdashi to highlight regional differences in Diwali celebrations.
Diwali: Lakshmi Puja
Day 3: Diwali (Main Day) – Lakshmi Puja
This is the central day of Diwali, celebrating the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya and the triumph of light over darkness. It is the most festive day, marked with the lighting of lamps, fireworks, family gatherings, and most importantly, Lakshmi Puja, in which people pray to the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Homes are decorated to welcome her blessings. Another major tradition is creating rangoli—vibrant floor art made using coloured powders, rice, or flowers—to invite positivity and luck into the home.
Fun Activities:
Rangoli Making: Use coloured chalk, sand, or paper cut-outs to create rangoli patterns. Try both traditional and student-designed styles. Why not go big and decorate the school entrance with chalk designs?!
Decorate Diyas: Paint clay lamps with bright colours and glitter.
Lakshmi Footprints Craft: Make tiny paper footprints to symbolise Goddess Lakshmi entering a clean and welcoming space.
Story Circle: Share the story of Lakshmi and the return of Rama with visuals or a puppet show.
Whole-School Awareness Ideas:
Rangoli Display: Invite students to create a collaborative rangoli in the entrance hall or corridors.
Assembly on Diwali Traditions: Focus on Lakshmi Puja and the symbolism behind light and colour.
Form Time Activity: Explore how different cultures use light and colour in celebration.
Diwali Dress Day: Invite students to wear colourful clothing or traditional dress to celebrate.
Diwali: Govardhan Puja
Day 4: Govardhan Puja
This day is about gratitude and offerings to nature and God. It commemorates Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect villagers from a storm. Traditionally, large meals are prepared as offerings.
Fun Activities:
Create "gratitude plates" with drawings of things students are thankful for.
Collage activity representing nature and protection.
Make paper mountains or dioramas representing the Govardhan story.
Whole-School Ideas:
“Gratitude Wall” where students post what they’re thankful for.
Share the story of Govardhan Hill through a visual retelling or video.
Serve or display Indian food/snacks during lunch with information on their significance.
Diwali: Bhai Dooj
Day 5: Bhai Dooj
This day honours the bond between siblings. Sisters pray for their brothers' well-being, and brothers offer gifts in return. It highlights love, respect, and protection in sibling and close relationships.
Fun Activities:
Card-making station: “Appreciation cards” for siblings or friends.
Bracelet or rakhi-style craft for friends.
Write “Top 3 things I appreciate about my sibling/friend.”
Whole-School Ideas:
Friendship focus during form time—encouraging messages or peer shoutouts.
“Buddy lunch” where students sit with someone they don’t usually talk to.
Display showcasing the value of sibling and friendship bonds in different cultures.
Transgender Awareness Month
Transgender Awareness Month
Highlights the experiences and challenges of transgender individuals.
Activities:
Film screenings: Show documentaries about transgender lives.
Discussions: Facilitate conversations on gender identity. Look at keywords/phrases like 'cis’, ‘trans’, the difference between ‘sex’ and ‘gender’, ‘non-binary’.
Art projects: Create inclusive artwork.
Social Media: Share student artwork, posters, favourite books, TV shows, films and celebrities.
Dear Future Me: Students write a letter to their future selves reflecting on who they are and what kind of world they hope to live in.
School-wide Awareness:
Host assemblies focusing on transgender history and rights.
Provide resources for transgender students.
Students and staff to wear blue, pink and white.
Anti-Bullying Week
Anti-Bullying Week
Aims to prevent bullying and promote kindness.
Activities:
Kindness challenges: Print out Kindness Challenge cards and hand them out to students as they enter encouraging positive behaviour. Encourage students to do as many as possible for more chances to win a prize. Prizes could be chocolates, skip queue pass for lunch, positive behaviour points, certificate or a social media shout out.
Role-playing: Scenarios to practice responding to bullying.
Poster contests: Create anti-bullying messages.
Positive Post-It: Cover a classroom door or hallway with post-its containing compliments, words of support, affirmations written by students.
Pledge Against Bullying: Have students sign a pledge to be an Ally and stand up against bullying.
Discussion: “What does it mean to be an upstander?”
School-wide Awareness:
Wear specific colours to show unity against bullying.
Host assemblies highlighting the impact of bullying.
Celebrate individuality with an own clothes day or by wearing odd sock.
Projects: Anti-Bullying Week
World Aids Day
World AIDS Day
Raises awareness about HIV/AIDS and commemorates those affected.
Activities:
Educational sessions: Discuss HIV/AIDS, misconceptions and Historic events
Timeline: Create a timeline highlighting key events (e.g., first known cases, medical breakthroughs, launch of antiretroviral therapy, activism milestones).
Red ribbon crafts: Create symbols of support.
Fundraising events: Support HIV/AIDS charities - Sell Red Ribbons, have a bake sale.
Patchwork Quilt: Have students create their own Patchwork Quilt using fabrics, felt or paper to create a display
Quiz: Host a myth-busting quiz to tackle common misconceptions about HIV transmission, treatment, and prevention.
Displays/Social Media: Invite students to create posters with messages like “U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable)”, “HIV doesn’t define anyone” or “End stigma, spread love”.
School-wide Awareness:
Moment of silence to honour lives lost.
Display informative materials about HIV/AIDS
Assembly/Form Time PowerPoint educating students around HIV / AIDS and correcting misconceptions/reducing stigmas.
Students to wear red, donations could be accepted to raise money for charity.
School Nurse or external organisations could attend to talk with students around prevention, testing and treatment.
Projects: World AIDS Day
Pansexual Pride Day
Pansexual Pride Day
Celebrates pansexual individuals and promotes understanding.
Activities:
Educational talks: Explain pansexuality and its distinctions. Have students compare Pansexuality with other sexual orientations.
Social Media: Share information on Pansexuality on social media and include famous pansexual figures like celebrities and characters from shows and books.
Poster Making: Proud to be me, have students create posters celebrating what makes them unique.
Flag-making: Design pansexual pride flags or social media posts.
Story sharing: Provide platforms for pansexual individuals to share experiences.
School-wide Awareness:
Decorate areas with pansexual pride colours.
Share informative materials school-wide
Omnisexual Visibility Day
Omnisexual Visibility Day
Omnisexual Visibility Day celebrates and raises awareness of omnisexuality—a sexual orientation where someone is attracted to people of multiple or all genders, with gender potentially playing a role in that attraction. While similar to pansexuality, omnisexuality often acknowledges or recognises gender in a different way. The day promotes inclusion, visibility, and understanding for omnisexual people within the LGBTQ+ community.
Activities:
Educational sessions: Discuss the spectrum of sexual orientations.
Flag-making: Design flags representing various identities.
Pride Art: Create omnisexual pride art
Flag Matching: Have students pair up definitions to the correct flags
Discussion Point: Get students talking about what visibility means to them?
School-wide Awareness:
Share student art and informative materials about omnisexuality on social media.
social Media:
"Did You Know?" Carousel Post: Facts about omnisexuality and how it differs from other orientations.
Student Artwork Showcase: Share digital or photographed artwork inspired by pride, love, or identity.
Myth-Busting Reels or Slides: Short, student-friendly videos or graphics correcting common misconceptions.
Pride in Halton
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Pride Month
Pride Month
Pride Month celebrates the LGBTQ+ community—its history, diversity, resilience, and ongoing struggle for equality. It began in honour of the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, and has grown into a global celebration of identity, love, and human rights. Pride is also a time to reflect on issues still faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, and to foster allyship and inclusion in all spaces—including schools.
Activities:
Pride Flag Crafts: Make your own rainbow flags, badges, or mini bunting.
Create Your Identity Poster: A creative activity where students illustrate things that make them them (including, but not limited to, gender or orientation).
Allyship Bracelets: Make rainbow or colour-coded bracelets that show support and solidarity.
LGBTQ+ Gallery: Research and create posters about LGBTQ+ role models in history, science, sports, and the arts.
"Pronoun Pins" or Stickers: Let students design their own pronoun badges with affirming messages or symbols.
Placards: Make your own Pride March Placards
Crafts: Create your own jewellery, keyrings, flags inspired by pride flags
School-wide Awareness:
Pride-Themed Assembly: Focus on the history of Pride, LGBTQ+ achievements, and the importance of inclusion.
Pride Wall or Display: Featuring Pride flags, student artwork, affirmations, quotes, or messages of allyship.
Form Time Focuses:
Week 1: History of Pride & Stonewall
Week 2: What is an Ally?
Week 3: LGBTQ+ Representation in Media
Week 4: Understanding Identity (gender, orientation, pronouns)
Dress in Colour Day: Each year group wears a different colour of the rainbow for a whole-school display.
Book Corner or Library Display: Featuring LGBTQ+ authors and characters (age-appropriate for all key stages).
Social Media Takeover: Share student-created Pride graphics, stories, or facts throughout the month.
Community Collaboration: Partner with local organisations (like youth LGBTQ+ groups or charities) to host workshops or Q&A sessions.
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT)
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia
Raises awareness about discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.
Activities:
Allyship workshops: Discuss with students how to support LGBTQ+ peers.
Art projects: Create inclusive posters, poetry or flags.
Story sessions: Share experiences from LGBTQ+ individuals.
Scenario Role-Play: Create real-life school scenarios (e.g. overhearing a homophobic joke) and have students role-play how to be an ally or upstander.
“Walk in My Shoes”: Have students write out their experiences which can be read out during form by staff.
School-wide Awareness:
Display inclusive symbols and messages around the school.
Host assemblies discussing the importance of acceptance and reaffirming the schools stance and policies around anti-bullying.
Have students pledge to stand against bullying by signing a pledge sheet. Students can work on the pledge together during the weekly group.
Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week
Focuses on the importance of mental well-being and reducing stigma.
Activities:
Mindfulness sessions: Guided breathing or meditation exercises.
Emotion journals: Encourage students to express feelings through writing or art.
Wellness walks: Promote physical activity and reflection.
School-wide Awareness:
Create a "mental health wall" with resources and positive messages.
Organise talks with mental health professionals.
Deaf Awareness Week
Deaf Awareness Week aims to promote understanding and inclusion of the Deaf community.
Activities:
Lip-reading games: Students pair up; one mouths phrases while the other tries to interpret.
Learn basic sign language: Introduce common signs or the alphabet, use YouTube and learn some songs.
Silent activities: Engage in tasks without speaking to experience communication barriers.
Poster design: Create informative posters to display around school
School-wide Awareness:
Host assemblies with Deaf speakers or sign language interpreters.
Display posters highlighting Deaf culture and communication methods.
Share informative posts on social media.