Equality Policy
General Statement
The Equality Act 2010 replaced all previous equality legislation such as the Race Relations Act, Disability Discrimination Act and Sex Discrimination Act. It also provides some changes about which our Education Centre staff need to be aware.
The Equality Act 2010 provides a single, consolidated source of discrimination law, covering all the types of discrimination that are unlawful. It simplifies the law by removing anomalies and inconsistencies that had developed over time in the existing legislation, and it extends the protection from discrimination in certain areas.
As far as we are concerned, for the most part, the effect of the new law is the same as it has been in the past – meaning that Education Centres cannot unlawfully discriminate against pupils because of their sex, race, disability, religion or belief and sexual orientation. Protection is now extended to pupils who are pregnant or undergoing gender reassignment.
Axis Educational Trust seeks to foster warm, welcoming and respectful environments, which allow us to question and challenge discrimination and inequality, resolve conflicts peacefully and work and learn free from harassment and violence.
We recognise that there are similarities and differences between individuals and groups but we will strive to ensure that our differences do not become barriers to participation, access and learning and to create inclusive processes and practices, where the varying needs of individuals and groups are identified and met. We therefore cannot achieve equality for all by treating everyone the same.
We will build on our similarities and seek enrichment from our differences and so promote understanding and learning between and towards others to create cohesive communities.
This Equality Policy for Axis Educational Trust brings together all previous policies, schemes and action plans around equality including those that we had previously for Race, Gender and Disability. It includes all the protected characteristics covered under the Equality Act 2010 as well as other aspects, which have the potential to discriminate against or to devalue any individuals within our community. We are further committed to the development of cohesive communities both within physical boundaries and within our local, national and global environments. Our Education Centre embraces the aim of working together with others to improve children’s educational and wellbeing outcomes, and notes the rights set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Scope and Aim
Our Equality Policy is inclusive of our whole Education Centre community – pupils/students, staff, parents/carers, visitors and partner agencies – who we have engaged with and who have been actively involved in and contributed to its development.
It explains how we aim to listen to and involve pupils, staff, parents and the community in achieving better outcomes for our children and young people.
Overall aims of our Equality Policy
- To provide a secure environment in which all our students can flourish and achieve all five outcomes of ‘Every Child Matters’ (be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution, and enjoy economic well-being)
To eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
To promote equality of access and opportunity within our Education Centre and within our wider community.
- To promote positive attitudes to difference and good relationships between people with different backgrounds, genders, sexual orientation, cultures, faiths, abilities and ethnic origins.
Our Duties
We recognise and accept our equality duties as set out in the Equality Act 2010 and have sought to involve the whole Education Centre community in the process in order to ensure better outcomes for all.
We have due regard to the need to ensure that persons with a protected characteristic are not disproportionately, negatively impacted as a result of our decision or policy making.
We positively foster good relations between different groups of pupils and the wider Education Centre community.
We will consider whether to provide auxiliary aids that are directly related to disabled children’s educational needs as a reasonable adjustment, particularly where the child is not provided for under an SEN statement, or where the statement does not provide the auxiliary aid or service.
The United Nations Convention also guides us on the Rights of the Child.
We will ensure we identify opportunities for promoting our vision, the key concepts and our duties on equality legislation across all aspects of Education Centre life, including the provision of extended services.
These opportunities are likely to include all or some of the following, dependent on our current priorities.
- preparation for entry to the Education Centre
- school policies
- breaks and lunchtimes
- the provision of Education Centre meals
- interaction with peers
- opportunities for assessment and accreditation
- exam arrangements
- behaviour management approach and sanctions
- exclusion procedures
- clubs, activities and Education Centre trips
- the Education Centre’s arrangements for working with otheragencies
- preparation of pupils for the next phase of education
- learning and teaching and the planned curriculum
- classroom organisation
- timetabling
- grouping of pupils
- homework
- access to Education Centre facilities
a. Pupils
All pupils should at all times feel safe from harassment, insult or discrimination and have access to help should any offence occur.
All pupils should have the right to functional access of all curriculum areas and should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential in each of those areas.
All pupils are equally entitled to their teachers’ attention, use of sanctions, and access to extra-curricular activity.
Pupils’ needs differ, and this must be recognised by both staff and pupils if all are to have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
a. Staff
All staff will be mindful of the unintentional nature of much discrimination and will adopt good practice in relation to expectations, use of appropriate language, resources and guidance.
All pupils should have the right to functional access of all curriculum areas and should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential in each of those areas.
Teachers will strive to plan work and organise and manage classes to take into account such factors as ethnicity, disability, gender, socio- economic backgrounds and giftedness whilst maintaining consistently high expectations.
APPENDIX A: KEY LEGISLATION
Equality Act 2010
Harmonises and streamlines existing equality legislation into one Single Act.
The Act protects pupils from discrimination and harassment based on ‘protected
characteristics’:
Age.
Disability.
Gender reassignment.
Pregnancy and maternity.
Marriage and Civil Partnership
Race.
Religion or belief.
Sex.
Sexual orientation.
This relates to:
prospective pupils
pupils at the Education Centre
in some limited circumstances, former pupils
For more information:
http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/advice/f00215460/equality-act-2010- departmental-advice
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-act-guidance/
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/inclusionandlearner support/inclusion/ equalityanddiversity/a0064570/the-equality-act-2010