Equality Duty Statement and Equality Objectives

Public Sector Equality Duty Statement and Equality Objectives

In line with the Equalities Act, 2010 and the school’s Equality Policy and Public Sector Equality Duty commitment statement, the following statement and objectives demonstrate the school’s focus on providing equal and inclusive educational and non-educational services in a non-discriminatory manner for all members of our school community.
These objectives have been arrived at following discussions with members of the school community, an analysis of pupil progress and a review of the school’s developing population over recent years.
 

We are committed to meeting our Public Sector Equality Duty to:
(a) Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimization and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act
(b) Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it
(c) Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

(a) Eliminate discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Act

As a Voluntary Aided primary school, Hope Primary School is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination and prohibited conduct in line with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. We have a range of policies and practises in place to ensure that our school environment is inclusive, respectful, and free from any unlawful discrimination.

Equality and Diversity Policy
Our Equality and Diversity Policy clearly outlines our approach to promoting equality and diversity, and preventing discrimination. This policy covers all protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act, including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. The policy is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policies
Our Behaviour Policy and Anti-Bullying Policy work in tandem to promote positive behaviour and address any incidents of bullying or harassment. These policies explicitly prohibit all forms of discrimination, victimisation, and other conduct that is unlawful under the Equality Act. Staff are trained to identify and respond effectively to any such incidents, and the school monitors data on behaviour and bullying to identify and address any emerging issues.

Staff Training and Awareness
All staff at Hope Primary School receive regular training on the Equality Act 2010 and their responsibilities in relation to eliminating discrimination. This training covers topics such as recognising and addressing unconscious bias, promoting inclusive practises, and handling discrimination complaints. Staff are also regularly reminded of their duties during staff meetings and through internal communications.

Inclusive Curriculum and School Activities
Our curriculum and wider school activities are designed to promote understanding, tolerance, and respect for people of all backgrounds and characteristics. This includes teaching about different cultures, religions, and family structures, as well as challenging stereotypes and celebrating diversity. We also ensure that all pupils have equal access to extracurricular clubs, trips, and other opportunities.

Recruitment and Employment Practises
In our role as an employer, we are committed to ensuring that our recruitment, selection, and employment practises are fair, transparent, and free from discrimination. Our HR policies and procedures are regularly reviewed to identify and address any potential biases or barriers to equality.

Monitoring and Reporting
We closely monitor our performance in relation to the Equality Act through regular data analysis and stakeholder engagement. This includes tracking pupil attainment and progress, bullying and behaviour incidents, and feedback from pupils, parents, and staff. Any issues identified are addressed through targeted interventions and action plans, and we report on our progress in our annual Equality Objectives and Information report.

(b) Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it

Removing or minimising disadvantages:

• Our Pupil Premium strategy ensures that additional funding is used effectively to support disadvantaged pupils, including those with protected characteristics such as disability or socioeconomic deprivation. This includes providing targeted academic interventions, pastoral support, and access to enrichment activities.
• Our SEND Policy outlines the adjustments and reasonable accommodations we make to ensure that pupils with disabilities or special educational needs are able to participate fully in all aspects of school life. This includes adaptations to the curriculum, physical environment, and teaching methods.
• Our Anti-Bullying Policy has a strong focus on addressing bullying related to protected characteristics, such as homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic bullying. We provide training for staff and have clear reporting and response procedures to tackle any incidents.

Meeting particular needs:

• Our Religious Education curriculum includes a diverse range of world religions and beliefs, helping to foster understanding and respect for different faiths and cultures. 
• Our PSHE programme (No Outsiders) covers topics related to protected characteristics, such as gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability, ensuring that all pupils develop awareness and empathy.
• We work closely with local community groups and specialist organisations to provide additional support and resources for pupils with particular needs, such as English language support for EAL pupils or mentoring for pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Encouraging participation:

• Our extra-curricular activities and school clubs are designed to be inclusive and representative of our diverse pupil population. We actively encourage participation from pupils of all backgrounds and monitor engagement to identify and address any imbalances.
• Our school council and other pupil leadership roles are open to all pupils, and we ensure that the composition of these groups reflects the diversity of the school community.
• We provide careers guidance and support that is tailored to the individual needs and aspirations of our pupils, helping them to explore a wide range of options and overcome any potential barriers.

To monitor and evaluate our progress in advancing equality of opportunity, we regularly analyse pupil attainment and participation data, broken down by protected characteristics. This allows us to identify any gaps or areas of concern, which we then address through targeted interventions and ongoing review of our policies and practises.

By implementing these comprehensive measures, Hope Primary School is dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable environment where all pupils, regardless of their protected characteristics, have the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

(c) Foster good relations across all characteristics - between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it

As a Voluntary Aided primary school, Hope Primary School is committed to fostering good relations across all protected characteristics, including race, disability, sex, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, and gender reassignment. We understand that this is a crucial element of the Public Sector Equality Duty and integral to our school's values and vision.

To promote good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not, we have implemented the following key initiatives and practises:

Inclusive Curriculum and Enrichment Activities

• Our curriculum and wider school activities are designed to celebrate diversity, promote understanding, and challenge prejudice. This includes:
   
  • Lessons and assemblies that explore different cultures, religions, and backgrounds represented within our school community and the wider world.
  • Opportunities for pupils to learn about and discuss topics such as disability awareness, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and gender equality.
  • School trips and visitors that expose pupils to diverse experiences and perspectives.
  • Extracurricular clubs and societies that bring together pupils with different characteristics, encouraging them to collaborate and form positive relationships.

Whole-School Ethos and Values

• Our school vision and values place a strong emphasis on respect, empathy, and inclusivity. These are consistently promoted through our behaviour policy, staff training, and day-to-day interactions with pupils and the wider community.
• Staff training and development sessions ensure that all members of the school community are equipped to recognise and challenge any form of discrimination or intolerance.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

• We actively engage with local community groups, religious organisations, and specialist support services to build understanding and strengthen relationships between people with different protected characteristics.
• Our school hosts events and workshops that bring together pupils, families, and members of the local community, providing opportunities for meaningful interaction and the sharing of experiences.
• We have established partnerships with other schools, both locally and further afield, to facilitate pupil exchanges and collaborative projects that promote intercultural exchange and the development of lasting friendships.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• The school's leadership team review the effectiveness of our approaches and make adjustments as needed to ensure improvement in this area.

By implementing these comprehensive measures, Hope Primary School is proactively fostering good relations between people who share protected characteristics and those who do not. We are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and harmonious school community that celebrates diversity and prepares our pupils to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.