Equality Statement

Rationale

Equality of opportunity is a fundamental right for all members of the Badsey First School community. We are committed to developing the potential of all people associated with the school.

A new Equality Act came into force on 1 October 2010. The Act requires schools to demonstrate that they are taking action on equality in policymaking, the delivery of services and public sector employment. All GLA Schools prescribe to a central Equality Policy, which can be viewed on the GLA Website by following this link.

Our Equality Policy covers:

Sex
Race
Disability
Religion or belief
Sexual orientation
Gender reassignment
Pregnancy or maternity
Marriage and civil partnership
Age

Age is a protected characteristic within the Equality Act (2010), but not in relation to pupils of any age in a school.

Badsey First School ensures that no parent, carer, employee or anyone associated with the school is discriminated against because of their age.

The aim of the policy is to ensure that individual diversity is valued and that rights and beliefs are protected, respected and tolerated. In order to guarantee that this occurs, we must make it an integral part of our thoughts, words and deeds. This policy is intended to have a direct and positive impact on the ethos of the school.

Our objectives are:

To promote spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through all appropriate curricular and extra-curricular opportunities. We aim to meet this objective with particular reference to issues of equality and diversity
To reduce prejudice and increase understanding of equality through direct teaching across the curriculum and through intervention where necessary, e.g. through a dedicated Behaviour and Emotional Support Team - BEST, learning coaches, individual programmes and support plans
To provide differentiated provision to meet all pupils’ learning needs including those with Disabilities and/or Special Educational Needs and those identified as More Able Gifted and Talented. We have separate policies to address these groups.
To ensure the school environment gives pupils equal access to facilities and resources
To move beyond deterministic notions of fixed ability and to model teaching and learning behaviours that avoid labelling
To narrow the gap between more disadvantaged children and their peers
To promote cultural development and understanding through a rich range of experience, both in and beyond the school
To eradicate prejudice related bullying in relation to the protected characteristics listed in the Equality Act 2010 (Please see policy for more information)
To tackle prejudice and promote understanding in relation to people with disabilities