Equality (beyond the Equality Duty)
At St Margaret's we make every effort to ensure that barriers to treating children and adults in our commuity differently are removed.
St Margaret's has taken the decision, in prioritising the way we manage equality, to combine all aspects of meeting our equality duty into a single Equality Policy and Plan.
The school welcomes feedback on the equality policy, plan or appendices, and their implementation from stakeholders either at the point of review or through parental surveys held anually.
The Equality Policy and appendices, including Accessibility Plan, can be downloaded here:
Equality Policy Part 2 Accessibility Plan 2022-2026
--------------------------------
Equality Objectives 2022-2023:
• To develop shared statements of implementation to support those with protected characteristics in challenging scenarios (e.g. residential visits)
• To promote and support the mental health of those with diverse backgrounds and attitudes (e.g. Diana Award Antibullying Ambassadors).
• To develop the curriculum further to address inequalities in health (e.g. using our public health data).
How have there objectives been chosen?
These objectives have been chosen as a result of a review of practice, in response to parental views and needs, and benchmarking against other practice in the best schools.
A short description of what is going to be done to achieve each objective.
We will:
- co-write statements and consult with parents and carers and pupils, providing a role model for the LA
- deliver training and opportunity for this to be cascaded, and develop strategies for lunchtime support
- the leader for overall curriculum to evaluate the presence of units meeting local health needs, sharing this with staff
- report performance and attendance of groups at least termly to the Governing Board
--------------------------------
Compliance with the Public Sector Equality Act
Our school demonstrates compliance with the following:
- eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited under the Equality Act 2010 by
Strong detailed PSHE scheme.
Diana Award Anti-bullying Amabssadors
Developing practices that promote our Christian values.
- advancing equality of opportunity – between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not
Changing our washroom facilities to enable greater choice for all pupils over the age of 8.
Developing approaches and consulting on these regarding residential visits so that all visits are inclusive for those with protected characteristics.
- fostering good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not
Strong PSHE curriculum. Wellbeing Team that promotes and responds to concerns quickly and efficiently.
- consulting and involving those affected by inequality, in the decisions your school takes to promote equality and eliminate discrimination - affected people could include parents, pupils, staff and members of the local community
Develop a Wellbeing and SEND Parents Forum in addition to Parents Forum. Consult on the RSE programme within PSHE. Provide parent workshops/evenings.
--------------------------------
Equality Act
The Equality Act brought in changes in to what schools should and must do.
The Act covers all aspects of school life to do with how a school treats pupils and prospective pupils, parents and carers, employees, and members of the community. Everything a school does must be fair, non-discriminatory and not put individuals or groups of people at a disadvantage. In particular, a school must not discriminate, harass or victimise a pupil or potential pupil in relation to:
• Admissions.
• The way it provides education for pupils.
• How it provides pupils access to any benefit, facility or service.
• Excluding a pupil or subjecting them to any other detriment.
An article that explains the requirement of the Equality Act can be found here: Equality Act Guidance
How are we performing in relation to the three aims of the equality duty?
• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
We consider we do well against this aim. Our Christian Ethos and Aims support this work as well as our approach to pastoral support. A dedicated team support this alongside specialist staff who have implemented a new Kidsafe Programme since Sept 2015.
• Advance equality of opportunity.
We encourage participation in sport for those with disability through Ability Games and through engagement in residentials and other activities.
• Foster good relations.
We have a Parents Forum, offer Meet the Teacher sessions, have an open door approach and also have a senior leader on the playground gate most days.
What actions and behaviours are unlawful under the Act?
The Act defines a number of types of unlawful behaviour, including:
• Direct discrimination.
• Indirect discrimination.
• Failing to make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils or staff.
• Discrimination arising from disability.
• Harassment related to a protected characteristic.
• Victimisation of someone because they have made, or helped with, a complaint about discrimination.
Protected Characteristics
The Act uses the term “protected characteristics” to refer to aspects of a person’s identity. Treating a person less favourably because they have one or more of these characteristics would be unlawful. The protected characteristics are:
• Age.
• Disability.
• Gender reassignment.
• Marriage and civil partnership.
• Pregnancy and maternity.
• Race.
• Religion or belief.
• Sex.
• Sexual orientation.
The protected characteristics of age and marriage and civil partnership apply to schools as employers, but not in relation to their provision for pupils.