SINGLE EQUALITY SCHEME

The Equality Act 2010 introduced a single Public Sector Equality Duty that applies to public bodies, including maintained schools and Academies, and extends to certain protected characteristics. This combined equality duty came into effect in April 2011. It has three main elements. In carrying out their functions, public bodies are required to have due regard to the need to:

• eliminate discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Act;
• advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it;
• foster good relations across all characteristics - between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

It is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of their protected characteristics, which are:

• age;
• gender reassignment;
• being married or in a civil partnership;
• being pregnant or on materity leave;
• disability
• race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin;
• religion or belief;
• sex;
• sexual orientation.

Our Equality Objectives for 2026 - 2029 are as follows:

•  Develop pupils' understanding of protected characteristics and promote a culture of respect, leading to the elimination of the use of discriminatory language.
• Ensure that all staff feel safe, valued and supported at work by developing a consistent whole-school approach to inclusion, equality and the teaching of sensitive subjects.
• To improve the representation of different minority groups in the curriculum, text drivers and the school environment
• To implement training and resources on discrimination for families in order to foster good relations between different groups
• Reduce the attainment gap between Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) pupils and their non-GRT peers by identifying barriers to learning and providing targeted support to improve progress and outcomes.