Equality and Diversity
Our mission is to foster a school culture where diversity is welcomed,celebrated, and respected. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where every individual is treated fairly, regardless of their background or personal characteristics.
Equality Policy
The School's Equality Policy contains information about how we comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty.
Our Duty
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Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by The Equality Act 2010
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Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share a relevant protected characteristic
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Foster good relations across all characteristics – between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it. The protected characteristics are:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage or civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
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Our school aims to promote respect for difference and diversity in accordance with our values.
Equality Objectives
In accordance with the The Equality Act 2010, the following are our published Equality Objectives.
- To ensure our trauma informed approach and Relationship Policy tackles discrimination linked to protected characteristics.
- To use the pupil premium to reduce the attainment gap and improve opportunities for all students.
- To promote equality, diversity and inclusion within the staff body through recruitment and onboarding procedures, and continual professional development.
Equality Information
The school is aware of its obligations under the The Equality Act 2010 and complies with non-discrimination provisions.
Where relevant, our policies include reference to the importance of avoiding discrimination and other prohibited conduct.
Staff and governors are regularly reminded of their responsibilities under the Equality Act – for example, during meetings. Where this has been discussed during a meeting, it is recorded in the meeting minutes.
New staff receive training on the Equality Act as part of their induction, and all staff receive refresher training every September/October.
The school has a designated member of staff for monitoring equality issues, and an equality link governor. They regularly liaise regarding any issues and make senior leaders and governors aware of these as appropriate.
Advancing Equality Opportunties
As set out in the DfE guidance on the Equality Act, the school aims to advance equality of opportunity by:
- Removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by people that are connected to a particular characteristic they have
- Taking steps to meet the particular needs of people who have a particular characteristic
- Encouraging people who have a particular characteristic to participate fully in any activities (e.g. encouraging all students to be involved in the full range of school societies)
Fostering good relations
The school aims to foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not share it by:
- Promoting tolerance, friendship and understanding of a range of religions and cultures through different aspects of our curriculum. This includes teaching in RE, citizenship and personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education, but also activities in other curriculum areas. For example, as part of teaching and learning in English, students will be introduced to literature from a range of cultures
- Making students aware of our relationship and anti-bullying policies
- Holding assemblies dealing with relevant issues where we will also invite external speakers to contribute
- Working with our local community. This includes inviting leaders of local faith groups to speak at assemblies, and organising school trips and activities based around the local community.
Equality considerations in decision making
The school ensures it has due regard to equality considerations whenever significant decisions are made. We consider equality implications before and at the time that we develop policy and make decisions and continue to review these on a continuing basis.
The school always considers the impact of significant decisions on particular groups. For example, when a school trip or activity is being planned, the school considers whether the trip:
- Cuts across any religious holidays
- Is accessible to students with disabilities
- Has equivalent facilities for boys and girls
Other policies that link to Equality and Diversity are:
Children with Health Needs who cannot attend school Policy