The Equality Act 2010 was introduced to ensure protection from discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the grounds of specific characteristics (referred to as protected characteristics). For schools, this means that it is unlawful to discriminate against ‘protected characteristics’ identified as gender; race; age; disability; religion or belief; gender reassignment; sexual orientation; pregnancy or maternity.

Under the Act, the school is expected to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). This requires us to:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
• Advance equality of opportunity between different groups
• Foster good relations between different groups

As a public organisation, we are required to:

• Have due regard to the PSED when making decisions, taking action or developing policy and practice.
• Publish information to show compliance with the Equality Duty. This is done via our Equal Opportunities Policy.
• Publish Equality Objectives which are specific and measurable.

Our Equalities Policy is in line with national guidance and contains information about how the school complies with the Public Sector Equality Duty. We also give guidance to staff and the wider school community on our approach to promoting equality. This includes ‘advancing equality’ which means ensuring shared opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

Our Equality Objectives reflect the school's priorities, our Cooperative values and draw upon available data and other evidence. Careful analysis of this is undertaken in order to ensure that we are working to achieve improved outcomes for different groups.

To access the Trust Equality Objectives policy, please click here.

To find out more about the Equalities Act 2010 please click here.

To find out more about the Public Sector Equality Duty click here.

As well as providing you with the above information, we would like the topic of equality to be a two way conversation. We are keen to involve parents, pupils, staff and members of the local community in the decisions we take to promote equality and eliminate discrimination. If you would like to be involved, please complete this form. Please allow 48 hours for a response to your form.