Equality Information
Number of pupils on roll at the school: 81 (September 2024)
Age of pupils: 4 to 11
The Equality Act 2010 requires us to publish information that demonstrates that we have due regard for the need to:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010.
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
- Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
We are an inclusive school that focuses on the well-being and progress of every child and where all members of our community are of equal worth.
We believe that the Equality Act provides a framework to support our commitment to valuing diversity, tackling discrimination, promoting equality and fostering good relationships between people. It also ensures that we continue to tackle issues of disadvantage and underachievement of different groups.
Protected characteristics and other groups
The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination on the basis of defined protected characteristics.
- sex
- race
- disability
- religion or belief
- sexual orientation
- gender reassignment
- pregnancy or maternity
We endeavour to establish, through admission discussions and ongoing parental consultations whether children or other members of our community fall into these groups or other vulnerable groups such as:
- Pupils eligible for Free School Meals (FSM)
- Pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
- Disadvantaged groups
- Pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL)
- Young carers
- Looked after children
We aim to ensure that any gap in attainment for pupils within any of the above different groups is removed, or at least remains less than the gap nationally. We do this through monitoring access and engagement and tracking progress of individuals and groups.
Eliminating discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Act
The information provided here aims to demonstrate that we give careful consideration to equality issues in everything that we do at Sytchampton Primary School. ‘Due regard’ ensures that we work towards eliminating discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act. We are committed to working for equality for all our staff, parents/carers and children to meet our duties under the Equality Act 2010.
We eliminate discrimination by:
- Our behaviour policy ensures that all children feel safe at school and addresses prejudicial bullying
- Reporting, responding to and monitoring all racist and sexist incidents
- Regularly monitoring the curriculum to ensure that the curriculum meets the needs of our pupils and that it promotes respect for diversity and challenges negative stereotyping
- Teaching is of the highest quality to ensure children reach their potential and all pupils are given equal entitlement to success
- Tracking pupil progress to ensure that all children make rapid progress, and intervening when necessary
- Ensuring that all pupils have the opportunity to access extra-curricular provision
- Listening to and monitoring views and experiences of pupils and adults to evaluate the effectiveness of our policies and procedures.
Advancing equality of opportunity and fostering good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
We advance equality of opportunity by:
- Using the information we gather to identify underachieving groups or individuals and plan targeted intervention
- Ensuring participation of parents/carers and pupils in school development
- Listening to parents/carers
- Listening to pupils at all times
- Ensuring that equality and diversity are embedded in the school ethos and the curriculum
The role of the Headteacher
It is the Headteacher’s role to ensure that all staff implement the school’s approach to equal opportunities and make sure steps are taken to address the school’s stated equality objectives. The Headteacher is responsible for enabling reasonable adjustments to be made, in relation to disability, in regard to students, staff, parents / carers and visitors to the school. Where additional funding is available for raising the achievement of specific groups of pupils, the Head Teacher will ensure that the additional resources are used appropriately. They will be targeted on the basis of identified need and outcomes are monitored. Together, the Headteacher and the leadership team will promote respect for other people in all aspects of school life.
The role of the Governors
The governors are responsible for making sure that the school complies with the relevant equality legislation and will continue to ensure that all members of the school community are treated fairly and equally.
The role of the staff
Class teachers will ensure that all pupils are treated fairly and with respect and foster good relations between groups. They will strive to provide resources which give positive images, and which challenge stereotypical images of minority groups when selecting classroom materials. They will ensure that schemes of work, for example, will teach children about significant contributions women or individuals from minority ethnic groups have made in history. All school staff will challenge any incidents of prejudice or racism. All incidences are recorded and drawn to the immediate attention of the Head teacher and DSL.
The role of pupils
Pupils will learn to treat each other with respect and have the confidence to report incidents to adults.
The role of parents/carers
Parents and carers will be encouraged to reinforce the school’s approach to equal opportunities by reinforcing its ethos at home.
Staff development
All staff are given equal opportunities to take part in staff training as and when required and have access to courses appropriate to their professional development and responsibilities as well as statutory requirements.
We observe good equalities practice in staff recruitment, retention and development. We ensure that policies and procedures should benefit all employees and potential employees, for example in recruitment and promotion, and in continuing professional development:
- whatever their age
- whether or not they are disabled
- whatever their ethnicity, culture, religious affiliation, national origin or national status
- whatever their gender and sexual identity, and with full respect for legal
- rights relating to pregnancy and maternity.