Assembly resources
The Man You Choose to Be
A free KS3 and KS4 assembly on laddish behaviour, banter, online influence, positive masculinity and male role models, with editable slides and a full speaker script.
Year group: KS3 and KS4 Best delivered: During a behaviour or culture reset, after recurring banter or sexist language, or within a healthy relationships programme Duration: About 16 minutes Tone: Calm, direct and non-accusatory Assembly purpose This assembly helps students examine the pressure to perform a particular version of masculinity.
It looks at laddish behaviour, banter, group chats, online influence and the effect these can have on other people.
The message is not that boys are the problem.
It is that every student has choices about the culture they help create, the behaviour they reward and the kind of role model they become.
What is included - A 16-slide editable PowerPoint - Full presenter notes embedded in the PowerPoint - A separate 18-page speaker script and delivery guide - Evidence and source notes for the statistics used - Practical bystander responses students can use - Support and reporting guidance - Editing notes for adapting the assembly to your school Before delivering - Replace the school-specific placeholders with your own reporting routes and pastoral contacts. - Brief your DSL or safeguarding lead, especially if recent incidents may be recognised by students. - Identify any students who may need advance warning or a check-in afterwards. - Avoid naming individual pupils, incidents or online personalities. - Keep the support slide in the assembly, even if you shorten the rest.
Suggested running order 1.
Frame the conversation without blaming boys Use the opening slides to make clear that this is not a lecture about boys being bad.
Ask students to think about the difference between being themselves and performing for an audience.
2.
When banter tips into harm The group-chat scenario and banter continuum help students notice when a joke stops being mutual.
Focus on impact, repetition, power and whether the person being targeted can safely ask for it to stop.
3.
Look at the wider picture The evidence slides explore reported experiences of sexual harassment, the pressure created by the "man box", the gap between private beliefs and public behaviour, and the influence of algorithms and online content.
Present the statistics carefully.
They describe patterns and pressures; they should not be used to label every boy or excuse harmful behaviour.
4.
Redefine strength Move the assembly from challenge to aspiration.
Strength can include self-control, honesty, responsibility, kindness, courage and the confidence to step away from a crowd.