Equality Objectives

EQUALITY STATEMENT:

‘All pupils and members of staff at Water Leys Primary School are provided with opportunities to fulfil their potential whatever their sex, race, colour ethnic or national origin, marital status, age, sexual orientation, disability or religious belief.’ 

EQUALITY OBJECTIVES 2024-2027

• To ensure that all learners have equal access to a rich, broad, balanced and relevant curriculum.
• To advance equality of opportunity by ensuring that teaching, learning and the curriculum promote equality, celebrate diversity and promote community cohesion by fostering good relations.
• To eliminate any discrimination, harassment and victimisation. To ensure that no-one is unfairly or illegally disadvantaged as a consequence of their age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, colour, race, ethnic or national origin, disability or religious beliefs.
• To recognise and celebrate diversity within our community whilst promoting community cohesion.
• To ensure that this policy is applied to all we do and upholds our work in PSHE, SMSC and British Values.
• To ensure that pupils and parents are fully involved in the provision made by the school.

The Protected Characteristics that apply to schools are:

• Age (in relation to staff only);
• Disability;
• Gender re-assignment;
• Marriage and civil partnership (in relation to staff only);
• Pregnancy and Maternity;
• Race;
• Religion Faith or Belief;
• Sex; and
• Sexual orientation.

At Water Leys, we believe that diversity is a strength which should be respected and celebrated by all those who learn, teach and visit us.

Equality in Teaching and Learning

We provide all our pupils with the opportunity to succeed and to reach the highest level of personal achievement. 

We do this by:

– Ensuring equality of access for all pupils and preparing them for life in a diverse society,

– Promoting attitudes and values that challenge any discriminatory behaviour or prejudice,

– Providing opportunities for pupils to appreciate their own culture and celebrate the diversity of other cultures,

– Seeking to involve all parents in supporting their child’s education,

– Utilising teaching approaches appropriate for the whole school population which are inclusive and reflective of our pupils.

Equality in Admissions and Exclusions

Our admissions arrangements are through the Local Authority and are fair and transparent. They do not discriminate on any grounds.

Equal Opportunities for Staff

All staff appointments and promotions are made on the basis of merit and ability in compliance with the law. We are keen to ensure that the staffing of the school reflects the diversity of our community.

Equality Information

On the 1st October 2010, the Equality Act 2010 replaced all existing equality legislation such as the Race Relations Act, Disability Discrimination Act and Sex Discrimination Act.

The Equality Act 2010 was introduced to ensure protection from discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the grounds of specific characteristics (referred to as protected characteristics). This means that schools cannot discriminate against pupils or treat them less favourably because of their sex (gender), race, disability, religion or belief, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or pregnancy or maternity.

The Act introduced requires all schools to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty and two specific duties.

Public Sector Equality Duty requires us a school to:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation Advance equality of opportunity between different groups
• Foster good relations between different groups

The Two “specific duties” requires us to:

• Publish information to show compliance with the Equality Duty
• Publish Equality Objectives at least every 4 years which are specific and measurable

We recognise that these duties reflect international human rights standards as expressed in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, and the Human Rights Act 1998.

Accessibility Plan

IT IS A REQUIREMENT UNDER THE EQUALITY ACT 2010 THAT SCHOOLS HAVE AN ACCESSIBILITY PLAN. THE EQUALITY ACT 2010 REPLACED ALL EXISTING EQUALITY LEGISLATION, INCLUDING THE DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT.

This means that “schools cannot unlawfully discriminate against pupils on the grounds of sex, race, disability, religion or belief and sexual orientation”.

According to the Equality Act 2010 a person has a disability if:

(a) He or she has a physical or mental impairment, and

(b) The impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

The Full Governing Body is responsible for ensuring the implementation and resourcing of the Plan and for reviewing the Plan.

Water Leys Primary School is committed to providing an accessible environment which values and includes all pupils, staff, parents and visitors regardless of their education, physical, sensory, social, spiritual, emotional and cultural needs. The school will also remove or minimise any potential barriers to learning allowing all children to achieve and participate fully in school life.