Last year, only 13% of UK schools planned to celebrate Disability History Month, according to ITV News—a statistic that left me both surprised and determined to make a change. I’ve created a set of free, accessible resources for anyone with primary-aged children in their lives, designed to make learning about diversity and inclusion engaging and meaningful. Let’s help children explore and appreciate unique differences in themselves and others, building empathy, understanding and a sense of inclusion from an early age.
This activity is classroom-ready. It includes an animated video, lesson plan, curriculum links, and creative discussion starters to make it a meaningful experience for your children.
Prizes:
One winner and two runners-up are being selected and will be announced on Thursday 19th December 2024. The prizes include:
- A special visit from me to the winning school or class.
- A bundle of 18 Big Cat books for the class or school library.
- A signed copy of No Horn Unicorn for the individual winner.
Flexible Use:
While the competition has run during Disability History Month, the resources are also perfect for supporting PSHE or RHE lessons for Key Stage 1 and lower Key Stage 2 throughout the year. For higher Key Stage 2, you can adapt the activity accordingly. For example, inviting students to write poems. These materials are especially helpful for exploring themes of diversity, identity, inclusion and fostering healthy friendships.
I’ve really enjoyed seeing all the creative ideas come through from the children!
Are you looking for a dynamic and engaging speaker to inspire your students?
Shani is a passionate and experienced speaker who has captivated audiences of all ages with her insightful talks and engaging presentations. Her assemblies and school visits are designed to motivate, educate, and empower young minds.
Video read through of No Horn Unicorn
Alternative video formats of No Horn Unicorn.
British Sign Language version of No Horn Unicorn
Competition Prizes!
Shani Dhanda
The first prize includes an in-person or virtual author’s visit from Shani for their school!
'No Horn Unicorn'
The winning artist will receive a signed copy of ‘No Horn Unicorn’, with a personal dedication from Shani.
Big Cat Books
The winning school will receive a bundle of 18 books from Collins Big Cat.
Two runners-up will receive the book bundle only.
No Horn Unicorn
No Horn Unicorn is a gloriously uplifting educational children's book celebrating diversity and inclusivity and exploring friendship. Ugo’s friends assume that he can’t do certain things with them because he doesn’t have a horn, but soon come to realise that his difference gives him other abilities which they don’t have.
UK Disability History Month (UKDHM) runs from 14th November to 20th December 2024 and is all about celebrating the achievements of disabled people everywhere. It’s based on the idea that people aren’t disabled by their impairments or differences but by barriers in society. This is called the Social Model of Disability.
These barriers can be physical—like buildings without lifts or accessible toilets—or they can come from assumptions people make about what disabled people can or can’t do.
When we work to remove these barriers, it gives disabled people more independence and choice. Accessibility ultimately benefits everyone.
The Scope website has more information about the Social Model of Disability and ways to explain it to children.
Resources for you
Complete the form to access your free No Horn Unicorn Classroom Resources.
After submitting the form, you’ll be able to download the materials right away!
Download Resources Form
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Competition Terms and Conditions
1. Eligibility
- The competition is open to children in Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7).
- Entries must be submitted by an adult (18+ years) on behalf of the child/children.
- The competition is open to those in the United Kingdom, excluding Northern Ireland.
2. Entry Requirements
- To enter, participants must create a unicorn friend for Ugo and briefly describe what makes their character unique.
- Entries should be submitted using the template available at ShaniDhanda.com/Competition.
- Alternative formats for submissions are accepted to ensure accessibility for all children.
- Only one entry per child is allowed.
3. How to Enter
- Submit entries by uploading them through the form provided at ShaniDhanda.com/Competition.
- The deadline for submissions is Thursday, 12th December, 2024, at 11:59 PM.
- Late entries will not be accepted.
4. Prizes
- One winner and two runners-up will be selected.
- The prizes include:
- A special visit from Shani Dhanda to the winning school or class on a mutually agreed upon date.
- A bundle of Big Cat books for the class or school library.
- A signed copy of No Horn Unicorn for the individual winner.
- Prizes are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, and cannot be redeemed for cash.
5. Judging
- Entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, and how well they embrace the theme of uniqueness.
- The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.
6. Winner Notification
- Winners will be notified via email using the contact details provided at the time of entry.
- If a winner does not respond within seven days of being contacted, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected.
7. Data Protection
- Personal information collected during the competition will only be used for the purposes of administering the competition and contacting winners.
- By entering, participants agree to have their first name, age, and design used in promotional materials related to the competition.
8. Rights and Ownership
- All entries remain the property of the entrants. However, by submitting an entry, participants grant Shani Dhanda the right to display and promote their work online and in any related publicity without compensation.
9. General Conditions
- By entering the competition, participants agree to abide by these terms and conditions.
- Shani Dhanda reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions at any time without prior notice.
- Under no circumstances will Shani Dhanda be responsible for any loss, damages, costs, or expenses arising from or in any way connected with any errors, defects, interruptions, malfunctions, or delays in promoting the competition or prize.
- Shani Dhanda will not be responsible, unless required by law, for any loss, changes, costs, or expenses that may arise in connection with this competition and reserves the right to cancel or alter the competition at any stage.
10. Governing Law
- These terms and conditions will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England, United Kingdom.
11. Contact
- For any queries related to the competition, please contact hello@shanidhanda.com.