At Rawlett, we are committed to meeting our responsibilities in relation to the Equality Act of 2010. Therefore, we aim to:
• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act
• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
• Foster good relations across all protected characteristics between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
• Have ‘due regard’ for the need to advance equality of opportunity by removing or minimising disadvantages, taking steps to meet their needs, encouraging participation when it is disproportionately low, and reflecting consciously on the needs of all different groups of learners.
In addition, we recognise our responsibilities as laid out in the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and consciously consider the needs of pupils, parents and staff with nine different protected characteristics (race, disability, sex, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity and gender reassignment).
Over the course of the academic year, students will have assemblies on a range of themes associated with raising the profile of equality and diversity. Not only do we have a legal duty under the Act to raise these issues, but we also have a moral duty to help prepare students for a world that is more diverse than the school and its immediate locality. Three key themes have also been identified by us for students: Aspiration, Independence and Resilience. Many themes are further explored through curriculum areas and during Focus Days. These include looking at differences and perceptions based on race, religion, gender, class, sexuality and ability/disability.
Each year, the school will set specific equality targets to improve the provision for all. These will be monitored via the Student Well-Being Committee, where staff well-being is also a regular agenda item.
For 2016-17, our equality priorities will be:
Leadership and Management
· Ensure that all governors and colleagues are aware of the Equality Act and its implications in a school setting
· Raise the profile of equality issues through assemblies, increasing students’ understanding of these issues and linking them to Fundamental British Values
· Enhance relationships with and improve our support of families through the establishment of a Parents’ Working Party, and through the introduction of a Family Partnership Service
· Ensure that all policies reflect the school’s commitments as laid out in law so that a reference to the Equal Opportunities Policy is included in each as they are reviewed.
· ALL members of our community have a duty and a responsibility and Governors will oversee Equality with the senior leadership team.
Curriculum
· Ensure that Schools and subjects take the opportunity to promote Equal Opportunities when revising their Schemes of Learning
· Ensure that all Schools and subjects consider Equal Opportunities when they are considering the contexts and examples they use so that all can access the curriculum and feel it is relevant to their needs and experiences
· Ensure that work is differentiated to meet the needs of all learners and groups of learners, personalising their teaching strategies (including for those with a protected characteristic)
· Ensure that all have access to the wider and extra curriculum
Teaching and Learning
· Teachers ensure that all classrooms are inclusive where all feel that they and their contributions are valued (using personalisation plans to ensure all are supported)
· All classrooms to display expected behaviour standards that link with Fundamental British Values.
In addition, we are reviewing our DESAP to ensure that the Action Plan addresses the needs of all learners and all those with protected characteristics (Completed).