Prejudice-based Incidents

What are prejudice-based incidents?

These are actions or behaviours perceived to be motivated by bias, stereotypes, or negative attitudes toward a person or group based on their identity, background, or perceived difference. Prejudice-based incidents reflect attitudes suggesting that one group is superior to another and often involve a power imbalance. A prejudice-based incident can be based on factors beyond the protected characteristics listed in the Equality Act 2010. Schools are legally required to address incidents related to protected characteristics, and these are the characteristics this document focuses on. A whole school approach to inclusion and safeguarding should also consider wider forms of prejudice.

Schools should remember...

Anyone can report a prejudice-based incident — not just the person affected.
Even if it wasn't intended to cause harm, or didn't target someone specific, an action or behaviour can still be a prejudice-based incident if it reflects or spreads harmful bias, stereotypes or negative attitudes.
A prejudice-based incident can affect anyone in the school community; pupils, their families, staff, or visitors, whether they have the protected characteristic or not.

Direct targeting

This is subjecting someone to prejudice due to them having a protected characteristic, such as:

Schools in the UK are legally required to address incidents involving the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. These are:

Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin)
Sexual orientation
Sex (gender)
Gender reassignment
Disability
Religion or belief
Pregnancy
Age (adult only)
Marriage and civil partnership (adult only)

By association

This occurs when someone is targeted because of their connection to a person with a protected characteristic.

By perception

This happens when someone is wrongly perceived to have a particular characteristic.

By allyship

Individuals may experience prejudice-based incidents because they stand up for others or challenge discriminatory behaviour.

What is intersectionality?

Intersectionality means recognising that people can have more than one identity that might make them vulnerable to prejudice or discrimination.

These overlapping identities can affect how they experience prejudice—and sometimes make it more complex or severe.

What forms do prejudice-based incidents take?

Offensive and discriminatory language
Jokes or insults
Verbal abuse
Cyber / social media
Non-co-operation/disrespect
Social exclusion/disrespect
Physical abuse
Other
Graffiti, slogans, etc

What are micro-aggressions?

Prejudice-based incidents can take many forms, ranging from overt to subtle. Micro-aggressions are subtle, often unintentional comments or actions that express prejudice or bias toward someone based on their identity (like race, gender, disability, or religion).

They may seem small or harmless to the person saying them—but they can be hurtful, dismissive, and harmful to the person on the receiving end.

How are prejudice-based incidents different to bullying? How do they relate to hate crime?

Prejudice-based incidents:

A prejudice-based incident refers to any situation where someone experiences harm or mistreatment based on any aspect of a person's identity, including the protected characteristics under the Equality Act (2010).
These incidents can include verbal abuse, harassment, bullying, or intimidation. However, they do not necessarily break the law.
A prejudice-based incident is any action that is perceived to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on specific characteristics, but it may not constitute a criminal offense.

Bullying:

Bullying is a form of harmful behaviour that involves a repeated and intentional effort to hurt or control another person.
Bullying can take different forms, including verbal, physical, or emotional abuse.
Unlike hate crimes, bullying is not necessarily tied to specific protected characteristics, but it can still cause significant harm to the victim.

Hate crimes:

A hate crime is a criminal offense committed against someone that is motivated by hostility or prejudice based on protected characteristics.
Hate crimes can include acts such as physical attacks, threats of violence, hoax calls, abusive messages, online abuse, and more.
When a prejudice-based incident amounts to a criminal offense, it is categorised as a hate crime.

While prejudice-based incidents and bullying may not always break the law, hate crimes involve criminal offenses motivated by prejudice. It's essential to address all forms of mistreatment and promote understanding and acceptance in our school communities.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance provide further information on hate crimes and bullying.

Why is it important to that schools effectively address prejudice-based incidents?

Personal development and well-being

When pupils feel respected and valued, they are more likely to develop confidence, empathy, and resilience.
Addressing prejudice helps protect pupils from emotional harm, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
It supports the development of positive identity and healthy relationships.

Creating a safe and effective learning environment

Pupils learn best when they feel safe, included, and free from fear.
Tackling prejudice ensures that classrooms are welcoming spaces where everyone can participate and thrive.
It reduces disruptions and promotes positive behaviour.

Promoting community cohesion

Schools play a key role in teaching respect, understanding, and cooperation.
Challenging prejudice helps build a stronger, more united school community.
It prepares pupils to live and work in a diverse society.

Meeting legal obligations

Schools have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to prevent discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.
Ofsted expects schools to promote equality and inclusion as part of their inspection framework.
Failing to act on prejudice-based incidents can lead to legal consequences and damage to the school's reputation.

What does the law say?

Equality Act 2010: Schools must work towards eliminating discrimination, harassment, and victimisation. They must promote equality of opportunity and foster good relations between persons with a protected characteristic and those without.
Children Act 1989: Schools must follow this act, which emphasises the welfare and protection of children and young people. It includes provisions related to safeguarding and preventing harm, including incidents related to prejudice.
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE): The KCSIE legislation provides a framework to effectively deal with prejudice-based incidents.
Education and Inspections Act 2006: This act imposes a continuing duty on schools to promote community cohesion. Schools must actively counter all forms of discrimination and support mutual understanding and respect within the school community.

These laws require schools to have clear policies and procedures in place to deal with prejudice-based incidents. They must record and report these incidents, and they should be able to involve partners if any further support or referrals are needed.

How do Norfolk schools and settings report prejudice-based incidents?

Schools should be recording prejudice-based incidents and actions taken, on their internal systems as part of their safeguarding procedures.
Each year we ask Norfolk schools to use this information andsubmit an annual report for the academic year 24/25. We ask schools to complete the form at a convenient timebefore the form closes on Friday 24th October 2025.
We ask for minimal information, number of incidents, nature of incident and type of incident. No names of children are taken.
The form is accessed via the My Schools site. The reporting form includes a nil return option; we would like all settings to complete a report even if they have not recorded any incidents.

What are the key steps schools should take to effectively manage prejudice-based incidents

To ensure a consistent, supportive, and legally compliant approach:

Recognise and record
Respond promptly, appropriately and with a trauma informed approach
Support and safeguard
Educate and prevent
Monitor and review
Comply with legal duties

What support is available for schools wanting to effectively manage prejudice-based incidents

Norfolk County Council have developed a Padlet for schools and settings needing a deeper dive, into preventing and responding to prejudice-based incidents taking a whole school and trauma informed approach. This is part of our EDIB offer of fully funded support to Norfolk schools which takes a whole school approach to inclusion and safeguarding and includes Toolkits, Padlets and the option of a bespoke support surgery from an Inclusion Adviser

If, after exploring the links above, you require support around the reporting process, managing prejudice-based incidents or wider Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging from an adviser or have additional queries, please call 0333 313 7165. This phone line is open on weekdays, from 9am to 5pm.