Equalities Statement
The Equality Statement sets out the approach that our school is taking to meet the general and specific requirements of Public Sector Equality.
Duty introduced by the Equality Act 2010. By placing an equality perspective in all of our policies and practices, we recognise that we are not thinking about people as an homogenous group but as distinct groups with differing needs, characteristics and behaviours. This enables us to address the issues in creating an inclusive whole school environment.
Deepcar St John’s CE Junior School has developed this Equality Statement to help us to meet our Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010. The Equality Act 2010 has simplified anti-discrimination laws by having a single equality Act. This makes it easier for people to understand and comply with the law. The 2010 Act has also strengthened protection in some situations.
The Equality Act covers all aspects of school life such as the treatment of:
-
pupils and prospective pupils
-
parents and carers
-
employees
-
local community
There are nine protected characteristics covered by the Act under which it is unlawful to treat people unfairly. The protected characteristics are:
-
age
-
disability
-
gender reassignment
-
marriage and civil partnership
-
pregnancy and maternity
-
race
-
religion or belief
-
sex
-
sexual orientation
Every person has one or more of the protected characteristic; therefore the Act protects everyone against unfair treatment. The Equality Act makes it unlawful to treat someone differently, either through direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, victimisation and by failing to make areasonable adjustment for a disabled person. Since 6 April 2011 all public bodies including local authorities, schools, colleges and other state-funded educational settings including academies have been bound by the Public Sector Equality Duty.
Age applies to a school as an employer, but not with regard to the treatment of pupils and prospective pupils. We are bound by the Public Sector Equality Duty to have due regard to the need to:
(a) eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, and victimisation
(b) advance equality of opportunity; and
(c) foster good relations
Equality Statement The general duty is supported by specific duties, these are to:
-
Publish information which demonstrates our compliance with the duty to have due regard for the three aims of the general duty and to annually repeat this.
-
Prepare and publish our specific and measurable objectives to achieve the three aims of the duty and undertake this no later than in four years time.
Leadership
Within our school all staff and Governors at the school are responsible for ensuring that the school meets its duties under the Equality Act 2010.
Eliminating harassment and bullying. Deepcar St John’s will not tolerate any form of harassment and bullying of pupils or our staff.
Training
We will provide relevant training by using all suitable delivery methods.
Procurement and Contractors
We will take steps to ensure that contractors working at the school operate within the requirements of our Equality Statement.
Visitors to the School
We will take steps to ensure that all visitors to our school including parents act within the requirements of our Equality Statement.
Publishing the Statement
We will publish our statement as a separate policy within school; on the school network; and upon the school’s website.
Reporting our progress
We will report progress against the Duty through our regular reporting mechanisms, to the Full Governing Board of the school.
Reviewing and Revising the Equality Statement
Last review – December 2022
We will review and revise the Statement no later than four years from publication of this statement. The primary aim of Deepcar St John’s CE Junior School is to enable all pupils to take part as fully as possible in every part of school life by developing each child’s self-confidence, recognising their strengths and encouraging them to achieve their full potential and success.
Accessibility_Plan 2022-25.pdfEquality_Information and Objectives Policy.pdf