Bradlaugh Lecture 2019 | No Outsiders: Reclaiming Radical Ideas in Schools

Bradlaugh Lecture 2019 | No Outsiders: Reclaiming Radical Ideas in Schools

Organisers: National Secular Society
When: Saturday 7th September 2019, 14:00-17:00
Where: Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley St, Manchester M2 3JL
Entrance fee: Members £10 | Non-members £15
Includes drinks reception.
THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED

In 2014, Andrew Moffat created No Outsiders: a scheme for teaching about equality and diversity in primary schools. The scheme aims to prepare children for life in modern Britain by teaching that everyone should be respected and accepted, no matter what their race, religion or sexual orientation.

Andrew and his No Outsiders programme became the targets of aggressive protests and threats at the beginning of 2019. The protesters, most of whom were Muslim, objected to children being taught about LGBT+ people because they said it went against their religious beliefs.

In this year's Bradlaugh Lecture, Andrew will introduce his vision for inclusive education and dispel the myths and misinformation about No Outsiders. He will reflect on what he has learnt as an openly gay teacher at schools where most children have been from Muslim backgrounds. And he will explain why all children, regardless of their religious background, have a right to learn about the diversity of UK society.

The lecture will be followed by an audience Q&A and a drinks reception. Tickets are just £15 – and NSS members get a discount.

Timetable

14:00-14:05 Opening remarks from Stephen Evans
14:05– 15:00 Lecture by Andrew Moffat
15:00 – 15:30 Q&A with Andrew Moffat
15:30-17:00 Drinks reception


Andrew Moffat MBE

Andrew Moffat is Assistant Head Teacher at Parkfield Primary School in inner city Birmingham. He has a Masters in Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties and is currently researching the role of schools in reducing radicalisation for a PhD.


About the Bradlaugh Lecture

The Bradlaugh Lecture was launched on the day of the 151st anniversary of the NSS's foundation, in recognition of our founder Charles Bradlaugh. The lecture provides a space for a distinguished speaker to explore a secularist topic in depth.

The lecture will take place at the Manchester Art Gallery, which displays a portrait of Bradlaugh by Walter Sickert. Sickert's piece – donated by the NSS's Manchester branch in 1911 – is an iconic image of Bradlaugh standing at the bar of the House of Commons, forbidden on account of his atheism from taking up the seat to which he had been elected multiple times.

Read more about the Bradlaugh Lecture