Bracey, P., Jackson, D. and Gove-Humphries, A. (2011) They did things differently then: diversity and challenge from Key Stage 1. Education 3-13: International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education.39(4), pp. 373-382. 0300-4279 (Print), 1475-7575 (Online).
This paper is based on the premise that controversial issues related to diversity are an important aspect of teaching and learning with all pupils. It was stimulated by a newspaper article which criticised teaching Key Stage 1 (5–7-year-old children) about Grace O'Malley, an Irish Queen. We argue that sixteenth century Anglo-Irish relations can be taught across all key stages and illustrate this through a detailed examination of how this was undertaken with Key Stage 1 pupils. To support our case we draw on literature related to diversity in a range of contexts and age groups