Equality Objectives

Ethos Academy Trust is committed to ensuring equality of education and opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents and carers, irrespective of race, gender, disability, faith or religion, sexual orientation or socio-economic background. We aim to develop a culture of inclusion and diversity in which all those connected to the service feel proud of their identity, able to participate fully in the provision offered and feel valued, cared for and listened to. The development of a positive self-image, self-advocacy, respect for others and an awareness of the value of each individual’s contribution to the school community is an integral part of our ethos.

The achievement of pupils is monitored by race, gender and disability and we use this data to support pupils, raise standards and ensure inclusive teaching. We tackle discrimination by the positive promotion of equality, challenging bullying and stereotypes and creating an environment which champions respect for all. We believe that diversity is a strength, which should be respected and celebrated by all those who learn, work and visit schools in our Trust.

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). This means that schools cannot discriminate against pupils or treat them less favourably because of their sex (gender), race, disability, religion or belief, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or pregnancy or maternity. Age and marriage and civil partnership are also “protected characteristics” but are not part of the school provisions related to pupils.

The Equality Policy describes how Ethos Academy Trust is meeting its statutory duties in line with national guidance. It includes information about how the service is complying with the Public Sector Equality Duty¹ and provides guidance to staff and outside visitors about our approach to promoting equality. Our action plan outlines the steps we take to meet the general duties of the legislation.

The Trustees are responsible for:

Making sure Ethos Academy Trust complies with relevant legislation by:

• Making sure that the Equality Policy and its procedures are appropriate and up-to-date;
• Evaluating outcomes relating to equalities, drawing on monitoring information, reports, consultation findings and attainment data provided by the head teacher and other staff;
• Implementing the Equalities Plan with the head teacher and staff.

The Headteacher is responsible for:

Implementing the Equality Action Plan, supported by the Trustees by:

• Ensure that all staff are aware of the Equality Action Plan;
• Devising effective processes of development, consultation, review and revision of policies and procedures relating to equalities;
• Establishing timescales for reviewing and reporting actions by staff relating to the Equality Action Plan;
• Laying out a timescale for review and impact assessment at least annually;
• Ensuring that the findings of the review and impact assessment, with information about how this has informed practice and planning for the future, are published;
• Ensuring that all appointments panels give due regard to this plan, so that no-one is discriminated against when it comes to employment or training opportunities;
• Promoting the principle of equal opportunity when developing the curriculum, and promoting respect for other people and equal opportunities to participate in all aspects of school life;
• Managing all incidents of unfair treatment and any incidents of bullying or discrimination, including racist incidents, with due seriousness.

Teaching and non-teaching staff are responsible for:

 Ensuring that all pupils are treated fairly, equally and with respect, and maintaining awareness of the school’s Equality Action Plan by:

• Implementing the Equalities Action Plan;
• Dealing with racist and other discriminatory incidents, and recognise and tackle racial bias and stereotyping;
• Promote equal opportunities and good race relations, and avoiding discrimination against anyone for reasons of race, colour, nationality, ethnic, religious, cultural or linguistic reasons;
• Promoting understanding of different disabilities and avoiding discrimination against anyone for reasons of disability;
• Supporting the Equality Impact Assessment processes;
• Keeping up to date with changes in the law on discrimination as set out in the school’s Equality Policy;
• Providing material that gives positive images based on race, gender and disability, and challenge stereotypical images;
• Challenging any incidents of prejudice, racism or homophobia, and recording any serious incidents, drawing them to the attention of the Head of Service/ Headteacher.

This policy was developed through our Equality Working Group in consultation with pupils, staff, members of the Management Committee (prior to conversion) and parents and carers.

The development of policy and practice was supported through Shameem Malik (Equality Consultant – Shameem was Head of Equality for Connexions Service National Unit, in the Department for Education and Skills).  Our commitment to promoting equalities and providing an inclusive school.

Objective 1:

Actively promote inclusion, equality of opportunity and diversity through the implementation of a range of activities and events which celebrate cultural, religious, ethnic and socio-economic communities.

Objective 2: Ensure all students with SEND are appropriately supported to maximise life chances and equality of opportunity in preparation for the next stage in their education.

Objective 3: Ensure all the pupils have access to an inclusive, broad and engaging curriculum that harnesses the Nurture Principles, allowing for both SEND needs and academic needs to be met and progress to be made.