EQUALITY & DIVERSITY POLICY

Achieve our best is relevant to all involved in the school community.

The Equality Policy contains a written statement linked to an action plan, which clearly identifies monitoring and evaluation procedures and which operates within the spirit and practice of equality and inclusion within the school. This policy sets out our commitment to tackle discrimination and promote equality of opportunity and explains what this means for the whole school community. We will continuously strive to ensure that everyone in our school is treated with respect and dignity. Each person in our school will be given fair and equal opportunities to develop their full potential with positive regard to gender, ethnicity, cultural and religious background, sexuality and disability. This school will actively promote equality in all its forms and foster positive attitudes and commitment to an education for quality.

We will adhere to the Government’s definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values have been reiterated in 2014.

Aims for the Equality Policy

• To eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
• To promote equality of access and opportunity within our school and wider community.
• To promote positive attitudes to difference and good relations between people with different backgrounds, genders, sexual orientation, cultures, faiths, abilities and ethnic origins.
• We are mindful of the British Values set out by the government reiterated in 2014.

Religious observance

We respect the religious beliefs and practices of all staff pupils and parents and comply with reasonable requests relating to religious observance and practice.

How to be achieved

We regard all learners and their parents and carers as of equal value.

We recognise, respect and value difference and diversity..

We foster positive attitudes and relationships, and a shared sense of cohesion and belonging.

We observe good equalities practice in staff recruitment, retention and development.

We consult and involve widely.

The local community as a whole should benefit.

The school is opposed to all forms of prejudice.

Action plan

The governing body is responsible for ensuring that the school complies with legislation and that this policy and related procedures and action plans are implemented.

Any Equality incidents occurring in school are reported to the full governing body by the head teacher at termly governing body meetings.

The governing body will review the equality policy every year.

The Equality Policy will be part of the action plan and monitored accordingly.

All policies are to be reviewed with regard to Equality.

The head teacher is responsible for implementing the policy and for ensuring that all staff are aware of

their responsibilities and are given appropriate training and support. The head teacher is also responsible for taking appropriate action in any cases of unlawful discrimination.

Any complaints will be dealt with according to the complaints policy available to all on our website.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The policy will be monitored and relevant issues discussed in conjunction with the head teacher’s report.

We will collect, analyse and use data in relation to achievement of various groups.

We will monitor the impact of this policy and action plan on pupils, staff, parents and carers particularly regarding attainment levels.

Information

We ensure that the content of this policy is known to all staff and governors and as appropriate to all pupils and their parents and carers.

All staff and governors have access to a selection of resources which discuss and explain concepts of equality, diversity and community cohesion.

This model policy has been adapted from one developed in Derbyshire. It has been amended with regard to the changes of requirements of recent years and the specific situation of Barnby Road Academy.