The King Edward VI School Equality Objectives Statement 2020-24
The King Edward VI School welcomes our duties under the Equality Act 2010 and aims to meet its equality obligations by having due regard to the need to:
- Eliminate discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act 2010
- 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
Our school’s equality objectives should be read in conjunction with the Single Equality and Diversity policy for The Three Rivers Learning Trust.
Legislation identifies 9 protected characteristics:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- marriage and civil partnership
- pregnancy and maternity
- race
- religion or belief
- sex
- sexual orientation
Legislation and guidance
This document meets the requirements under the following legislation:
- The Equality Act 2010, which introduced the public sector equality duty and protects people from discrimination
- The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011, which require schools to publish information to demonstrate how they are complying with the public sector equality duty and to publish equality objectives
- The school’s Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work Policy further outlines the school’s policy regarding equality.
Our equality objectives 2020-2024 are as follows:
- To promote spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through all appropriate curricular and extracurricular opportunities, with particular reference to issues of equality and diversity, so as to equip our students with the skills to be thoughtful, caring and active citizens in school and in the wider society
- To commit to closing gaps in attainment and achievement especially for:
- students eligible for Pupil Premium
- students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
- looked after children
- Commit to improving accessibility in all school sites for students, staff and visitors with disabilities, including access to specialist teaching areas
- To ensure that all staff are aware of current legislation surrounding equality and diversity, and understand their individual and collective responsibilities
- Closely monitor and record and take action to prevent homophobic, sexist and/or racist incidents
| Public Sector Equality Duty | Equality Objectives 2020-2024 | Strategies | Who is responsible? | Time frames |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advance equality of opportunity | To commit to closing gaps in attainment and achievement especially for: Students eligible for Pupil Premium. Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Looked after children. | Quality First Teaching Data analysis carried out to track progress and attainment of students based on different cohorts eg SEND/PP/Gender/EAL and plan intervention as and where appropriate. Appointment of School Chaplain to help support vulnerable students. Appointment of School Counsellor to help support vulnerable students. Pupil premium strategy across the school. Extensive range of clubs available to all students. Opportunities for all extracurricular and enrichment activities open to all students. | SLT SENDCO School Counsellor School Chaplain Staff who run clubs | 2020-2024 |
| Foster good relations | To promote spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through all appropriate curricular and extracurricular opportunities, with particular reference to issues of equality and diversity, so as to equip our students with the skills to be thoughtful, caring and active citizens in school and in the wider society. Closely monitor and record and take action to prevent homophobic, sexist and/or racist incidents. | Links with local Business and STEM Ambassadors for enrichment activities. CEIAG - KEVI Inspires. Use a range of communication channels (eg twitter, website, bulletins, newsletter) to promote school life to its wider community. Review of PSHE, RE and assembly programme to address issues of discrimination. Maintain an ethos where all members of the school whether staff or students are valued and respected as individuals. Support for school Pride group and audit of provision in work towards Stonewall Silver Award. | SLT Teaching staff Mentors | Ongoing |
| Eliminate discrimination | To ensure that all staff are aware of current legislation surrounding equality and diversity, and understand their individual and collective responsibilities. Commit to improving accessibility in all school sites for students, staff and visitors with disabilities, including access to specialist teaching areas . | Identification of cohort needs through Health and wellbeing meetings, particularly in respect to transition from Y8-9 and new starters. Students, staff and parents know that any misconduct will be challenged (behaviour policy, anti - bullying policy, planner, staff handbook). The school will make reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of disabled students and implement an accessibility plan aimed at: Increasing the extent to which disabled students can participate in the curriculum. Improving the physical environment of schools to enable disabled students to take better advantage of education, benefits, facilities and services provided. Improving the availability of accessible information to disabled students | SLT SENDCO SL RE/PSHE Tutors | 2020-2024 |
Monitoring arrangements
- Annual written report to the link School Governing Body member in relation to the monitoring and impact of the equality objectives; this will be made available in June of each academic year. Following receipt of this report the School Governing Body will review the provision and impact identifying any further action that needs to be approved.
- Verbal updates will be available to Academy Committees from the Designated member of staff (as required)
