Equality of opportunity is at the heart of our values as a school. We are against all forms of discrimination – whether that be on grounds of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or age. We oppose all forms of intolerance towards any group, however manifested. We have zero tolerance of any form of discrimination or prejudice.

For our school this means, not simply treating everybody the same but, understanding and tackling the different barriers which could lead to unequal outcomes for different groups of pupils in school, celebrating and valuing the equal opportunity achievements and strengths of all members of the school community

We believe that equality at our school should permeate all aspects of school life and is the responsibility of every member of the school and wider community. Every member of the school community should feel safe, secure, valued and of equal worth.

For more information about our commitment to promoting Equality within our Trust and its family of schools please view our Trust Equality & Diversity webpage and our school Equality Scheme and objectives. The Equality Scheme and objectives are updated every four years, however, we review our progress towards these and how we comply with the equality duty annually. 

Overview

The Epworth Education Trust promotes equal opportunities throughout all areas of its schools. The Trust opposes less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity, marital or civil partnership status, religion or belief (including lack of religion or belief), age, race or disability ("the protected characteristics").

All members of our schools communities are expected to comply with this policy.

Our Equal Opportunities Policy is consistent with our Trust’s values and ethos and has been built on our own existing good practice. This policy is consistent with all of the Trust’s policies.

All policies can be made available in large print or other accessible format if required.

Aims

The aims of this policy and the Trust’s ethos as a whole is to:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination on grounds of any of the protected characteristics
• Eliminate all bullying and unlawful discrimination on the basis that an individual has a learning difficulty or special educational need, or because English is an additional language.
• Promote equality of opportunity for all members of the Schools communities
• Value diversity
• Promote good relations between all members of the Schools communities
• Comply with the Trust’s equality duties contained in the Equality Act

Admission

The Trust treats every application for admission in a fair and equal way in accordance with this policy and each School’s Admissions Policy. Each application will be considered on its merits in accordance with the Schools’ selection criteria.

All schools within the Trust accepts applications from, and admits, all prospective pupils irrespective of their disability, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or lack of religion or belief) or special educational needs.

In accordance with each school’s terms and conditions, parents must inform the School when submitting the Registration Form of any special circumstances relating to their child’s health, allergies, special needs or disabilities or other circumstances which may affect their child’s performance in the admissions process and ability to fully participate in the education provided by the School.

The Trust monitors the admission and progress of students from different backgrounds.

Educational services

The Trust affords all pupils access to educational provision including all benefits, services, facilities irrespective of any protected characteristic subject to our reasonable adjustments duty and considerations of safety and welfare.

The Trust will not discriminate against a pupil on the grounds of any protected characteristic by excluding them or subjecting them to any other detriment.

In both curricular and extra-curricular activities, pupils are encouraged to explore the viewpoints and values of different cultures that make up contemporary society and to benefit from the richness of experience that the exchange of cultural expectations and knowledge can bring.

Each school within the Trust will:

• Treat all members of the School community with respect and dignity and seek to provide a positive working and learning environment free from discrimination;
• Endeavour to meet the needs of all children and ensure that there is no unlawful discrimination on the grounds of any of the protected characteristics
• Ensure that pupils with English as an additional language and pupils with a statement of special educational needs receive necessary educational and welfare support;
• Ensure that all children are included, valued and supported;
• Monitor the admission and progress of students from different backgrounds;
• Ensure that publicity materials present appropriate and positive messages about minority racial groups;
• Make staff aware that schemes of work, lesson content and teaching resources should demonstrate sensitivity to issues of cultural diversity, to encourage children to value and respect others;
• Challenge inappropriate discriminatory behaviour by pupils and staff;
• Foster and encourage positive attitudes and behaviour towards all members of the community through the planned teaching of relevant knowledge, skills and values;
• Celebrate cultural diversity through school events, such as dance, drama and music;
• Ensure that, although assemblies are broadly Christian, they emphasise the importance of values such as respect, open-mindedness and tolerance;
• Provide careers guidance that does not promote stereotyping in employment and encourages pupils not to be influenced by such factors when choosing a career;
• Offer all pupils access to all areas of the curriculum, including being able to participate in a full range of extra-curricular activities;
• Ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities and given appropriate training and support;
• Work with parents and external agencies where appropriate to combat and prevent discrimination in School; and ensure that it reviews, monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of inclusive practices
• Take reasonable steps to help avoid putting disabled pupils at a substantial disadvantage
• The School recognises that discrimination may be direct, indirect, or arising from disability whether or not it was intentional.

Religious belief

Although the Trust’s religious ethos is based on Christian values and tradition, the Trust is inclusive and welcomes and respects the rights and freedoms of individuals from other religions and faiths (or no religion or faith) subject to considerations of safety and welfare and the rights and freedoms of other members of its schools communities..

Reasonable adjustments

The Trust has an ongoing duty to make reasonable adjustments for pupils with a disability to ensure they do not suffer a substantial disadvantage in comparison with other pupils, such as, allowing dyslexic pupils extra time with examinations, providing visually impaired pupils with text in larger font and providing reasonable adjustments to the school uniforms for disabled pupils.

Each school within the Trust:

• will inform and consult with parents about the reasonable adjustments, if any, the school are legally required to make for their disabled child.
• recognises that they have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for the public where services are provided to the public e.g. parents’ evenings and school concerts.
• is not legally required to make physical alterations as part of the reasonable adjustments duty.

However, the school monitors and reviews the school’s physical features to consider what reasonable and proportionate steps can be taken to alleviate any substantial disadvantage caused to disabled pupils. All schools within the Trust have an Accessibility Plan and an Access Audit in place and a hard copy can be made available by the school office upon request.

From 1 September 2012 every school is required to provide auxiliary aids and services for those disabled pupils who are put at a substantial disadvantage as part of the school’s reasonable adjustments duty. The Trust carefully considers any proposals for auxiliary aids and services in light of a pupil’s disability and the resources available to each school.. Further information on each school’s reasonable adjustments duty can be found in their SEN Policy.

Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator

Every school within the Trust has a SENCO who works closely with the Headteacher and meets with the Headteacher on a weekly basis.

The SENCO has a range of responsibilities including ensuring Individual Educations Plans are in place, liaising with parents and other professionals in respect of a pupil’s special educational needs, advising and supporting other staff at the School and ensuring that relevant background information about pupils with special educational needs is collected, recorded and updated.

The Trust will have due regard to the SEN Code of Practice when monitoring and reviewing provision for pupils with special educational needs.

The approach to assessment may be varied as appropriate

Concerns and complaints

The Epworth Education Trust will seek to provide a supportive environment for those who make claims of discrimination or harassment.

Pupils who feel they are being discriminated against should talk to a member of staff. Alternatively, if parents or pupils feel this policy has been breached they should raise their concern or complaint through the School’s Complaints Procedure which is available on the School website and upon request.

Monitoring and review

This policy is monitored on an ongoing basis to evaluate its effectiveness and that appropriate steps can be taken to eliminate unlawful discrimination where necessary.

This policy is reviewed on an annual basis to ensure the aims of the policy are carried out in accordance with the  Trust’s equality duty.