What is included?
The downloadable 21-page pack contains teacher guidance, a structured lesson and pupil activities to support discussion of forced marriage through the novel.
Teacher resource · PSHE
A story pupils remember.
A lesson you can use.
Teach consent, friendship, warning signs and safe routes to help through the characters of But It’s Not Fair, with Quality Mark lesson materials and practical safeguarding guidance.
PSHE AssociationQuality Mark lesson materials
Home OfficeListed forced marriage resource
Freedom CharitySafeguarding expertise
Start here
Prepare. Teach. Respond.
A practical route through the resource, from safeguarding preparation to a safe pupil reflection.
- Before01
Read the guidance
Inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead, check your school procedures and plan private support routes.
- During02
Keep it in the story
Use Vinny, Abby and Sofia as fictional distance. Give pupils the right to pass and never invite disclosure.
- After03
Make help visible
Repeat the school’s private support routes and follow safeguarding procedures if a concern is raised.
Interactive planning aid
Shape the lesson
Choose a session length to see a suggested structure. This planning aid does not replace the teacher guidance or your school’s safeguarding procedures.
- 1Safe-learning agreement
- 2Consent and legal distinction
- 3Book-character scenario discussion
- 4Supporting a friend activity
- 5Support routes and anonymous reflection
Learning outcomes
By the end, pupils should be able to…
01Explain the difference between an arranged marriage and a forced marriage.
02Recognise when a young person may need safe, specialist help.
03Know why a friend must tell a trusted adult rather than promise secrecy.
04Identify reliable routes to support in school and through official services.
Teacher questions
Using the resource safely
What should happen before teaching?
Inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead, review school procedures and make private support routes clear before the lesson begins.
Should pupils be asked to disclose personal experiences?
No. Keep discussion within the fictional story, give pupils the right to pass and never invite disclosure in front of the class.
Does the lesson replace safeguarding procedures?
No. The resource supports teaching but must be used alongside current school safeguarding and confidentiality procedures.
Safeguarding first
Create safety before discussion.
The lesson plan supports teaching; it does not replace your school’s safeguarding and confidentiality procedures.
Do
- Inform the DSL before teaching.
- Discuss fictional characters.
- Give every pupil the right to pass.
- Offer private routes to support.
Do not
- Ask for personal disclosures.
- Set unsafe home research.
- Contact or mediate with families.
- Promise absolute confidentiality.
The complete teaching pack
Download the forced marriage lesson plans.
Teacher guidance, a structured lesson and pupil activities. Review the full PDF before teaching and use it alongside your school’s safeguarding policy.
PDF · 21 pages · Free to download
Download the PDFBooks for the classroom
Put the story in every pupil’s hands.
Order individual copies, library stock or class sets directly from Freedom Charity.