Equality Information and Objectives Policy

Legislation

1.1 The Equality Act 2010 (“the Act”) provides a modern, single legal framework with three broad duties:

 Eliminate discrimination;
 Advance equality of opportunity; and
 Foster good relations.

1.2 Engaine’s School fully understands the principle of the Act and the work needed to ensure that those with protected characteristics are not discriminated against and are given equality of opportunity.

A protected characteristic under the act covers the groups listed below:

 Age;
 Disability;
 Race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin;
 Sex (including transgender);
 Gender reassignment;
 Maternity and pregnancy;
 Religion and belief;
 Sexual orientation; and
 Marriage and civil partnership (for employees).

1.3 In order to meet our general duties, listed above, the law requires us to do some specific duties to demonstrate how we meet the general duties.

These are to:

 Publish equality information – to demonstrate compliance with the general duty across its functions. We will not publish any information that can specifically identify any child.

 Prepare and publish equality objectives – to do this we will collect data related to the protected characteristics above and analyse this data to determine our focus for our equality objectives. The data will be assessed across our core provisions as an academy. This will include the following functions:

o Admissions;
o Attendance;
o Attainment;
o Exclusions; and
o Prejudice related incidents.

1.4 Our objectives will detail how we will ensure equality is applied to the services listed above however; where we find evidence that other functions have a significant impact on any particular group we will include work in this area.

We also welcome our duty under the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to promote community cohesion (see Community Cohesion Policy).

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.

1. The Policy

2.1 Engaines School’s Equality Information and Objectives Policy draws together all previous equality legislation and details how it is fulfilling the requirements of the Act.

2. Our Ethos

This is a place where:

 learning is fun;
 children are prepared for their future;
 all efforts are acknowledged and celebrated;
 everyone is valued and respected as an individual;
 we will educate our children about equality and diversity and where we pledge to meet the needs of all our individuals;
 everyone is encouraged to be part of and contribute to the community; and
 encourage everyone to make healthy life choices.

3. Addressing Prejudice Related Incidents

4.1 Engaines School is opposed to all forms of prejudice and we recognise that children and young people who experience any form of prejudice related discrimination may fair less well in the education system. We provide both our pupils and staff with an awareness of the impact of prejudice in order to prevent any incidents. If incidents still occur we address them immediately and report them to the Local Authority using their guidance material. The Local Authority may provide some support.

4. Objectives

5.1 In achieving compliancy with the Act, objectives are set annually. Detailed below are Engaines School’s current set of overriding objectives.

Objective Group Objective
Pupil Achievement All pupils are assessed, monitored and tracked through SIMs.Under-achievement is identified and appropriate intervention is applied. Pupils are able to participate in a full range of extra-curricular opportunities.
Behaviour and Safety Pupils respect one another. Pupils feel safe and valued. Pupils, staff and parents know that misconduct and gross misconduct will be challenged.
Teaching All pupils experience 100% ‘good or better’ lessons.
Leadership and Management The staff and governing body reflects the diversity of the Engaines School’s community. No pupils (or their families) are disadvantaged academically, socially or emotionally. All staff are mindful of the academic and social needs of all children, especially potentially vulnerable children. The Headteacher is responsible for the collection, analysis and publication of equality data including the recording of prejudice-related incidents.

5.2 Engaines School will make reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of disabled pupils and implement an accessibility plan aimed at:

(a) increasing the extent to which disabled pupils can participate in the curriculum;

(b) improving the physical environment of schools to enable disabled pupils to take better Engaines advantage of education, benefits, facilities and services provided; and

(c) improving the availability of accessible information to disabled pupils.

4.3 Engaines School’s leaders accept and welcome their responsibility to have due regard in decision-making and actions to the possible implications for pupils with particular protected characteristics. They will consider equality implications before and at the time that they develop policy and take decisions.

5. Responsibility

6.1 We believe that promoting equality is the whole of Engaines School’s responsibility.

6.2 How does Engaines School eliminate discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Act, advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it, and foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it?

Engaines School does this by measures that include:

(a) for pupils – implementation of policies on equal opportunities (including race and gender equality, special needs, behaviour and anti-bullying);

(b) for staff – implementation of policies on equal opportunities, recruitment and selection, pay and anti harassment policy;

(c) PSHCE, SRE, RE and other elements within the curriculum that promote friendship and understanding about cultures and lifestyles;
(d) employing specialist staff to support pupils with special needs or disabilities, and implementing Engaines School’s disability access plan;

(e) monitoring of welfare, with intervention and support where required;

(f) taking steps to meet the particular needs of pupils or staff that have a particular characteristic.

School Community Responsibility
Governing Body of Engaines School Involving and engaging the whole of the community of Engaines School’s in identifying and understanding equality barriers and in the setting of objectives to address these.
Headteacher As above including:
Promoting key messages to staff, parents and pupils about equality and what is expected of them and can be expected from Engaines School in carrying out its day to day duties.
Ensure that staff have appropriate skills to deliver equality, including pupil awareness. Ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibility to record and report prejudice related incidents.
Ensure fair treatment and access to services and opportunities.
Teaching Staff Help in delivering the right outcomes for pupils.
Support Engaines School, the local governing body in delivering a fair and equitable service to all stakeholders.
Uphold the commitment made to pupils and parents/carers on how they can be expected to be treated.
Support colleagues within the Engaines School community.
Ensure that you are aware of your responsibility to record and report prejudice related incidents.
Design and deliver an inclusive curriculum
Support Staff Support Engaines School, the local governing body in delivering a fair and equitable service to all stakeholders.
Uphold the commitment made by the Headteacher on how pupils and parents/carers can be expected to be treated.
Support colleagues within the Engaines School community.
Ensure that you are aware of your responsibility to record and report prejudice related incidents.
Parents/Carers Take an active part in identifying barriers for Engaines School’s community and in informing the governing body of actions that can be taken to eradicate these.
Take an active role in supporting and challenging the school to achieve the commitment given to Engaines School’s community in tackling inequality and achieving equality of opportunity for all.
Pupils Supporting Engaines School to achieve the commitment made to tackling inequality.
Uphold the commitment made by the Headteacher on how pupils and parents/carers, staff and the wider community can be expected to be treated.
Local Community Members Take an active part in identifying barriers for Engaines School’s community and in informing the governing body of actions that can be taken to eradicate these
Take an active role in supporting and challenging Engaines School to achieve the commitment made to the community in tackling inequality and achieving equality of opportunity for all.

6. Engaines School’s Equality Objectives

7.1 While aiming to improve continuously the implementation of equality related policies and procedures, and ensuring that due regard is taken always of the impact of actions and decisions on pupils and staff with particular characteristics, Engaines School has established the following objectives for the period September 2014 to August 2016:
(a) For the school to be in-line or above national age-related expectations, from Foundation Stage to Year6.