Handling sensitive and controversial issues

Young people frequently face making decisions about a wide range of issues on which there are many different views. Issues like sexuality, religion, bullying, and war can evoke complicated emotions, and lead to difficult discussions, both in and out of the classroom.

Young people need to develop skills that allow them to come to their own views about, and discuss, these types of hugely important issues. Having a chance to engage with controversial issues in a constructive environment will help young people to develop as global citizens, and teachers have a key role to play in enabling this development.

Teaching Controversial Issues explores:

- what controversial issues are
- why they should be taught
- classroom strategies
- existing guidance
- practical teaching activities