In order to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) by the Equality Act 2010, schools must publish an equality objectives statement – a declaration of the school’s aims for ensuring equality for all members of the school’s community.
We welcome our duties under the Equality Act 2010. The school’s general duties, with regard to equality are:
- Eliminating discrimination
- Fostering good relationships
- Advancing equality of opportunity
We will not discriminate against, harass or victimise any pupil, prospective pupil, or other member of the school community because of their:
- Sex
- Age
- Race
- Disability
- Religion or belief
- Sexual orientation
- Gender reassignment
- Pregnancy or maternity
- Marriage and civil partnership
We aim to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, with special emphasis on promoting equality and diversity. We aim to eradicate prejudicial incidents for both pupils and staff. Our school is committed to not only eliminating discrimination, but also increasing understanding and appreciation for diversity.
Eradicating Discrimination
We believe that a greater level of success from pupils and staff can be achieved by realising the uniqueness of individuals. Creating a prejudice-free environment where individuals feel confident and at ease is a commitment of the school. This environment will be achieved by:
- Being respectful
- Always treating all members of the school community fairly
- Developing an understanding of diversity and the benefits it has
- Adopting an inclusive attitude
- Adopting an inclusive curriculum that is accessible to all
- Encouraging compassion and open-mindedness
We are committed to having a balanced and fair curriculum. We believe that our pupils should be exposed to ideas and concepts that may challenge their understanding, to help ensure that pupils learn to become more accepting and inclusive of others. Challenging and controversial concepts will be delivered in a way that prevents discrimination and promotes inclusive attitudes. We will ensure that we keep parents updated with curriculum content and also respect the right of parents to withdraw their children from aspects of the curriculum that they are allowed to do so by law.
Dealing with prejudice
We do not tolerate any form of prejudice-related incident. Whether direct or indirect, we treat discrimination against all members of our school with the utmost severity. When an incident is reported, through our thorough reporting procedure, our school is devoted to ensuring appropriate action is taken and a resolution is put into place which is both fair and firm.
Our pupils are taught to be:
- Understanding of others
- Celebratory of cultural diversity
- Eager to reach their full potential
- Inclusive
- Aware of what constitutes discriminatory behaviour
The school’s employees will not:
- Discriminate against any member of the school community
- Treat other members of the school community unfairly
The school’s employees will:
- Promote diversity and equality
- Encourage and adopt an inclusive attitude
- Lead by example
Equality and dignity in the workplace
We do not discriminate against staff with regards to their:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marital or civil partner status
- Pregnancy or maternity
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
Equality of opportunity and non-discrimination extends to the treatment of all members of the school community. All staff members are obliged to act in accordance will the school’s various policies relating to equality.
We will guarantee that no redundancy is the result of direct or indirect prejudice. All disciplinary procedures are non-prejudicial, whether they result in warnings, dismissal, or any other disciplinary action.
Prejudice is not tolerated and we are continuously working to promote an accepting and respectful environment for our school community.
When considering our duty towards equality:
- We ensure that information collected on race, disability and gender with regards to both pupils and staff e.g. pupil achievement, dance, exclusions, staff training etc. is used to inform policies, plans, strategies, lessons, additional support, training and activities the school provides.
- We ensure our work is shaped by the views, input and involvement of staff, parents and pupils.
- We analyse pupil data by race, disability and gender and take appropriate actions if trends arise.
- We ensure that the curriculum includes opportunities to understand issues related race, disability and gender.
- We ensure all pupils are encouraged to partake in school life through school activities, such as sports teams, class assemblies, school council.
- We ensure that bullying and harassment of pupils and staff is recorded and monitored by race, disability and gender and is addressed.
- We ensure that displays are reflective of the diversity of the school community and that this is promoted positively in lessons, displays and discussions such as circle time, PHSE lessons and assemblies.
- We ensure that the school participates in recognised, annual events based on diversity, equality, culture etc.
- We ensure that the school environment is as accessible as possible to pupils, staff and visitors and that issues such as language barriers are considered.
- We ensure that the accessibility needs of parents, pupils and staff are considered in the publishing and sending out of information, in terms of race, disability and gender.
- That procedures for the election of parent governors are open and accessible.
