Equality Objectives

Through a mission statement of’ Making a Difference to Everybody,’ St Pauls Church of England Primary School aims to meet its obligations under the public sector equality duty by having due regard to the need to:

• actively eliminate discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act 2010
• actively promote equality of opportunity between all groups of people
• eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010
• advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
• foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
• ensure that the school promotes role models and heroes that young people positively identify with, who reflect and broaden the school’s diversity in terms of race, gender and disability
• ensure respect towards individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics
• promote ‘Making a Difference to Everybody’ by ensuring that nobody is disadvantaged by any protected characteristic

At St Paul’s C of E Primary School, we take this obligation very seriously and ensure that all our pupils can take part as fully as possible in every aspect of school life. We identify any barriers to learning that they may have and then work to overcome these so that all children can fulfil their potential.

We strive to actively consider equitable provision for all within our school community to foster positive relations leading to good outcomes for all.

2. Legislation and guidance

This document meets the requirements under the following legislation:

• The Equality Act 2010, which introduced the public sector equality duty and protects people from discrimination
• The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011, which require schools to publish information to demonstrate how they are complying with the public sector equality duty and to publish equality objectives

This document is also based on Department for Education (DfE) guidance: The Equality Act 2010 and schools.  

3. Roles and responsibilities

The Governing Body will:

• ensure that the equality information and objectives as set out in this statement are published and communicated throughout the school, including to staff, pupils and parents, and that they are reviewed and updated at least once every four years
• delegate responsibility for monitoring the achievement of the objectives on a daily basis to the Headteacher, the Inclusion Lead and the Senior Leadership Team

The Equality Link Governor is Rev R Fitter who will:

• meet with the Inclusion Lead every term, to discuss any issues and how these are being addressed
• ensure they’re familiar with all relevant legislation and the contents of this document
• attend appropriate equality and diversity training
• report back to the governing body

 The Headteacher and Leader of Inclusion will:

• promote knowledge and understanding of the equality objectives amongst staff and pupils
• monitor success in achieving the objectives and report back to governors

The Leader of Inclusion will:

• support the Headteacher in promoting knowledge and understanding of the equality objectives amongst staff and pupils
• support the Headteacher in identifying any staff training needs, delivering this provision as necessary

All school staff are expected to have regard to this document and to work to achieve its aims.

4. Eliminating discrimination

The school is aware of its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and complies with non-discrimination provisions. 

Staff and governors regularly review their responsibilities under the Equality Act, for example during meetings. Where this has been discussed, 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 awareness raising during the school year.

5. Advancing equality of opportunity.

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 which are connected to a particular characteristic including disabilities, age, race, gender including gender dysphoria, sexual orientation, pregnancy and religious or philosophical beliefs
• ensuring provision addresses any specific needs of people who have a particular characteristic including medical adaptations, uniform adaptations, adjustments to working for staff who are pregnant or disabled and non- discriminatory employment procedures
• encouraging people who have a particular characteristic to participate fully in any activities (e.g. encouraging all pupils to be involved in the full range of school clubs)
• active attempts to recruit staff who are representative of the diversity of the school community to support reflective curriculum design and implementation

6. Fostering good relations

The school aims to foster good relations between all groups of people. We promote respect, friendship and understanding of different religions and cultures through cross curricular aspects of our curriculum. This includes teaching in theme lessons including ‘The Skin I’m In,’ RE, and personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education, but also activities in other curriculum areas. All curriculum areas take account of diversity and equality.

• holding assemblies to actively promote a culture of non- prejudice and respect for all
• working with members of our wider community to speak at assemblies, through the organisation of school trips and activities based around the local community
• encouraging and implementing initiatives to promote good relationships between all groups. For example, our School Council and Sports Council has representatives from different year groups and is formed of pupils from a range of backgrounds. All pupils are encouraged to participate in the provision of curriculum enrichment at clubs. We also work with parents to promote knowledge and understanding of different cultures
• having a website that is available in multi lingual format
• we have received accreditation from Achievement for All which recognised the measures taken by school to ensure equality of opportunity for all
• accreditation as a School of Sanctuary as recognition of our inclusive approach to the induction of Refugee and Asylum Seeking families
• uniform adaptations where requested to adhere to faith requirement
• Halal food provision

7. Equality considerations in decision-making

The school ensures it has due regard to equality considerations whenever decisions are made.

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 pupils with disabilities
• has equivalent facilities for boys and girls

8. Recruitment

Recruitment processes ensure that no prospective employee is disadvantaged due to race, gender, age, sexual orientation or disability. Reasonable adjustment takes place for staff with health concerns to meet their needs and keep them safe, care plans implemented and support offered.  All staff whether belonging to groups with protected characteristics or not can request adaptations to ensure they can fulfil their roles to best effect and with respect for all.