Equality Scheme

2015– 2017
(3 year plan)

Signed …………………………………………………………..

(on behalf of the Governing Body)

Equality Scheme

To cover Race, Disability, Gender (including Gender Identity), Religion or Belief and Sexual Orientation

Overarching Statement

 In accordance with our vision statement, mission statement and school aims, we pledge through our school
ethos, curriculum, employment practice and management of incidents to;
- respect the equal human rights of all our learners / students
- educate them about equality
- respect the rights of our staff and other members of the school community

 In an appropriate manner, we will use relevant equality information and work towards the equality objectives
we identify, in relation to;
- ethnicity
- religion or belief
- gender, gender identity and gender reassignment
- pregnancy and maternity
- disability, and
- sexual orientation

Statutory Requirements

We recognise our general responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 to avoid direct and indirect discrimination on he
grounds of any of the protected characteristics listed above.

As a public body, we are also required by the public sector equality duty under Section 149 of the Act to pay due regard
to the need to:

a) eliminate unlawful discrimination

b) advance equality of opportunity
c) foster good relations

The equality information we publish annually, and the equality objectives below, show how we address this duty.

The access plan below addresses our duty under section 88 of the Act.

Responsibilities

One named Governor, Pam Hough takes the lead, but the governors as a whole are responsible for;

 In general making sure the school complies with the anti-discrimination provisions of the Equality Act 2010,
including as an employer
 In general, making sure the school complies with the public sector equality duty under s.149 of the Equality
Act 2010
 In particular, making sure the school complies with the Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) Regulations 2011
by:

- gathering and publishing the required equality information annually

- drawing up, publishing and implementing the school’s equality objectives on a regular cycle

The Headteacher is responsible for :

 Making sure measurable steps are taken to address the school’s stated equality objectives, integrated with the
other school improvement priorities
 Making sure the governors, staff, learners/students and their parents and carers are aware of equality issues as
relevant
 Making sure all staff know their responsibilities and receive training and support to carry these out
 Taking appropriate objective in cases of harassment and discrimination, including identity-related incidents
  Enabling reasonable adjustments to be made, in relation to disability, in regard to learners / students, staff,
parents and carers and visitors to the school

All staff are responsible for:

 Avoiding unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation

 Promoting equal opportunity in their work
 Fostering good relations between groups
 Dealing with identity related incidents, whether or not they amount to bullying
 Being able to recognise and tackle bias and stereotyping
 Taking up relevant professional development opportunities

The Headteacher is responsible overall for:

 Dealing with reports of hate-incidents

Visitors and contractors are responsible for:

 Following relevant school policy

Staff Development

Staff to attend relevant and appropriate professional training as and when necessary.

 Staff training related to the specific identified needs of the current pupil population
 Rolling programme of generic training
 Provision of mapping of staff
 Governor Training needs

How are policies to be monitored?

Reviewing, monitoring and evaluating tools are:

 SEF
 Policy review as part of Governor responsibility
 Review of equality objectives
 Review of individual health care plans
 Talking / observing / consulting with all stakeholders
 Data analysis of learners / students
Equality Information

Under the Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) Regulations 2011, we will gather information on learners/ students and
others, including staff, with protected characteristics that are affected by school policies and practices;. The purpose of
gathering this information is to ensure that we are furthering the three aims of the public sector equality duty

The information relates to the protected characteristics of learners / students and others e.g. parents who are affected by
school practice. The source of this information is both quantitative:
 Internal data
 Local data
 National data

And qualitative (comments resulting from engagement with relevant people);

 Surveys
 Complaints
 Focus groups
 Interviews
 Learner / student voice

How information gathered is used:

 To inform future planning

 To adapt practice
 To inform / consult with the wider community / governors
 To identify future staff training needs
 To review policies

Equality Reporting

At a regular and appropriate time in each school year under the Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) Regulations 2011,
we will publish information to demonstrate how we are furthering the three aims of the public sector equality duty.
This information will be published in a manner and formats that are reasonably accessible to the public e.g. website,
prospectus, newsletter etc.

From the information published in this report, parents and others will be able to judge how well our school meets the
three aims of the public sector equality duty under the Equality Act 2010;
 Eliminating discrimination and harassment
 Advancing equality of opportunity
 Fostering good relations between people from different groups

Possible Headings are:

 Access
 Attendance
 Attainment
 Identity-related bullying
 Behaviour sanctions
 Exclusions
 Home/school links
 Equality Objectives
(i) Advance equality of opportunity
Objective By Whom Start Finish Evidence of objectives achieved
1. Policies and procedures reviewed Staff & Govs Sept 2015 July 2018 Amended policies, dates when reviewed recorded with due regard
and amended with reference to the to the Equality Act 2010.
promotion of equality opportunity
2. Support services are fully used HT, SLT, Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 Record of involvement of support services
effectively
3. Staff provided with opportunities HT, SLT, Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 Evidence of training opportunities
to attend appropriate and relevant
CPD
4. Analyse learners / students Assessment Coordinator, Sept 2015 July 2018 School Data Analysis
achievement and attainment SLT and teachers
5. Use opportunities to discuss with HT & All Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 School Meeting Minutes e.g. Annual Reviews, Records of Home
parents and guardians, issues visits,
relating to equal opportunities
6. Contact Governor Services to Clerk to Governors Sept 2015 July 2018 Governors Minutes
promote the recruitment of
Governors from ethnic minorities
7. Consider the recruitment of a HT & Govs Sept 2015 July 2018 Governor Minutes
member of staff who has an
additional language or is from an
ethnic minority
8. Use school budgets (directly or HT & Govs Sept 2015 July 2018 Cluster Minutes
jointly as a cluster) to provide a
member of staff who has an
additional language
9. Ensure that the School Council is HT / Learning mentor Sept 2015 July 2018 School Council Minutes
involved in the promotion of responsible for School
equality of opportunity Council
10. As part of the ongoing HT, HLTA Sept 2015 July 2018 Attendance Data Analysis
monitoring of attendance monitor
the attendance of ethnic minorities
11. Identify and support under Assessment Coordinator, Sept 2015 July 2018 Attainment Data Analysis
achieving learners / students SLT and teachers
12. Improve access to all school HT Sept 2015 July 2018 Parents Survey
information
13. To ensure the curriculum DHT Curriculum Co- Sept 2015 July 2018 PSHE & C Policy amended as necessary and presented to
material is appropriate and does not ordinator, All Staff Governors
reinforce prejudices Governor Minutes
14. Ensure appropriate Health Care HT , Learning Mentor, Sept 2015 July 2018 Records are in place and regularly monitored
Plans are established and adhered to and class teams
/ initial risk assessment on entry into
school for pupil takes place
15. Multi agency consultation are in HT & Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 Records are in place and regularly monitored
place as appropriate
16. Improve access to the All staff Sept 2015 July 2018 Relevant resources purchased – ICT, age appropriateness, sensory
curriculum for all learners / students materials, staff training e.g. TEACCH, PECS

17. To ensure that robust HT & Govs Sept 2015 July 2018 Amended policies state that the
policies and practices are in policy has been reviewed with
place which promote equality due regard to the Equality Act
and inclusion. 2006.
(Accessibility Plan / SEN /
School Visits Policies etc.)
18. Ensure home / school HT, SLT and Class staff Sept 2015 July 2018 Evidence of correspondence
correspondence is appropriate
19. Appropriate Staff Training HT & Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 Training Records
by Lead Professionals
20. Review curriculum areas to HT, Subject leaders Sept 2015 July 2018 Amended policies state that the
ensure that they promote policy has been reviewed with
equality of opportunity, with due regard to the Equality Act
particular regard to sex and 2010
relationships education, sexist
attitudes and language, Governor Minutes
stereotypical career choices,
sexual exploitation and
domestic violence
21. Provide opportunities for HT/DHT Sept 2015 July 2018 CPD Records
staff to attend appropriate and
relevant CPD
22. Analyse learners / students Assessment Coordinator, SLT Sept 2015 July 2018 School data analysis
achievement and attainment and teachers
data
23. Ensure that the School HT, learning mentor & Govs Sept 2015 July 2018 School Council Minutes
Council is involved in the
promotion of equality of
opportunity
24. Recruitment, appointment HT, Governors Sept 2015 July 2018 Amended policies state that the
and pay policies that have been policy has been reviewed with
adopted by the Governors are due regard to the Equality Act
strictly adhered to 2010
Governor Minutes
 (ii) Eliminate discrimination and harassment
Objective By Whom Start Finish Evidence of completion
1. To use reporting system, HT, SLT Sept 2015 July 2018 Logs and Reporting system
training & reporting procedures actively in use in school
for staff and learners / students
2. Address acceptable behaviour HT & SLT, Staff, Governors Sept 2015 July 2018 Training available to staff
and unacceptable behaviour
3. Ensure current bullying HT & Staff, Govs Sept 2015 July 2018 Bullying Policy amended
policy and procedures,
specifically address racial
bullying
4. Ensure all visitors are aware Administration Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 Evidence that visitors are made
of School Policies / Protocols aware of School Policies /
e.g. signing in book Protocols
5. Raising general equality HT & SLT Sept 2015 July 2018 Training available to staff
awareness through internal
reviewing structures, training,
consultation etc..
6. Use reporting system, HT, SLT Sept 2015 July 2018 Logs and reporting system
training & reporting procedures actively in use in school and
for staff and learners / students shows decrease in incidents
7. Ensure relevant Policies / HT, Govs & SLT Sept 2015 July 2018 Amended policies state that the
Protocols are adhered to i.e. policy has been reviewed with
Anti-Bullying Policy, Behaviour due regard to the Equality Act
Policy 2006.
Monitoring of policies shows
compliance
8. Appropriate Staff Training by HT & Govs Sept 2015 July 2018 Training Records
Lead Professionals
9. Impact assessment carried out HT & Govs Sept 2015 July 2018 Amended policies state that the
on all current policies policy has been reviewed with
due regard to the Equality Act
2010
10. Review curriculum areas to HT, Govs, Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 Curriculum Plan adapted
ensure that they promote
equality of opportunity
11. Recruitment, appointment HT & Govs Sept 2015 July 2018 Amended policies state that the
and pay policies that have been policy has been reviewed with
adopted by the Governors are due regard to the Equality Act
strictly adhered to 2010
 Governors Minutes
12. The school ethos is very HT & Govs Sept 2015 July 2018 School ethos
clearly understood by everyone Minimal recorded incidents of
gender related harassment on
SENTINEL
13. Use of reporting system, HT, SLT Sept 2015 July 2018 School ethos
training and reporting Minimal recorded incidents of
procedures for staff and pupil gender related harassment
14. Training to address HT , SLT Sept 2015 July 2018 Training available to staff
acceptable behaviour and
unacceptable behaviour
15. To actively pursue the HT & Govs Sept 2015 July 2018 Learners / students show mutual
promotion of positive role respect to each other and adults
models within policies, of both sexes
resources, visits, visitors
 (iii) Foster good relations between different groups
Objective By Whom Start Finish Evidence of completion
1. Use PSHE & Citizenship Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 Planning shows that good
lesson time relations between different
ethnic groups are actively
promoted in lessons
2. Promote multi cross links in HT & Staff, Govs Sept 2015 July 2018 Evidence of multi cultural links
equality procedures and in policies
practices
3. Encourage and positively HT, Staff & Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 Evidence of visit taking place
invite into school, visitors from
different cultures, communities
and disability groups
4. Ensure the provision of a HT & Literacy Co-ordinator Sept 2015 July 2018 Curriculum materials are
diverse range of stories / available and in use for all
curriculum materials featuring learners / students
disabled people (not focussing
on their impairment)
5. Inviting disabled people / HT, Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 Record of visits. Reports to
charities into school Govs (Governor Minutes)
6. The use of inclusive posters HT & Govs, Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 Posters available and on display
e.g. PSHCE in school
7. Promotion of respect and All Staff & Govs Sept 2015 July 2018 School ethos .
moral values including British Reports to Governors
Values Governor’s Minutes
School Planning records
8. Invite a range of disabled HT & Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 All people have regard to
people into school, classes, disabled parking spaces
assemblies and informally Disability access and facilities
available
9. Sharing good practice within All Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 Record of meetings / Events /
the disability field Reports to Governors /
Governor Minutes
10. Ensuring school trips HT & Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 Amended after school policies
including residential visits, after state that the policy has been
school clubs / activities are reviewed with due regard to the
inclusive and accessible Equality Act 2006
11. Positively promote disabled HT & Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 School Council Membership
learners / students onto the
school council
 Access Plan

Objective By Whom Start Finish Evidence of completion

i. improvements Staff as and when Sept 2015 July 2018
in access to the a) CPD on TEACCH appropriate a)- c) CPD records
curriculum b) CPD on Sensory Integration d) Work completed and
c) CPD on Signalong Governors, HT, Local ‘decluttered’ classrooms in use
d) Improvements in environments Authority
ii. Physical To improve the environment physically as HT, Governors Sept 2015 July 2018 Building/s adapted as
improvements to and when appropriate, eg. paths to Outdoor appropriate, outside
increase access to Classroom ( Nature’s Den) environment adapted as
education and appropriate
associated
services
iii) Improvements in provision of information in HT, Governors, Staff Sept 2015 July 2018 Information provided vocally,
Improvements in a range of formats for disabled learners / written, using ICT, signs and
the provision of students. symbols, photos, objects of
information in a Improvements in website to include greater reference etc..
range of formats use of symbols
for disabled Improvements in signage throughout school
learners / (internal and external)
students