Equality & Diversity (Equality Duty)
At Renishaw Primary School, we define equality as treating everyone with equal dignity and worth, valuing individual characteristics such as age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation, and socio-economic circumstances. We acknowledge that individuals have unique needs, situations, and goals; thus, achieving equality involves removing discriminatory barriers that restrict what people—especially children and young people—can do and become.
We recognise that inequality can manifest in various ways, including differing outcomes, limited access to services, and the extent of independence in making life decisions. This can also involve unequal treatment in areas like employment, stemming from direct or indirect discrimination imposed by individuals, groups, institutions, or systems—whether intentionally or inadvertently.
Below is our policy for 'Equality and Diversity'.
Equality Duty
At Renishaw Primary School, we are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents, and carers, irrespective of race, gender, disability, belief, sexual orientation, age, or socio-economic background. Our aim is to cultivate a culture of inclusion and diversity, where everyone connected to the school feels proud of their identity and is empowered to participate fully in school life.
We address discrimination through the proactive promotion of equality, by challenging bullying and stereotypes, and by fostering an environment that champions respect for all.
We believe that diversity is a strength to be respected and celebrated by everyone who learns, teaches, or visits us.
Equality in teaching and learning and the curriculum
We are dedicated to providing all our pupils with opportunities to succeed and achieve their personal best. We accomplish this by:
- Ensuring equal access for all pupils and preparing them for life in a diverse society.
- Using materials that reflect the diversity of our school, local community, and population, while avoiding stereotypes.
- Promoting attitudes and values that challenge discriminatory behaviour and prejudice.
- Offering opportunities for pupils to appreciate their own culture and celebrate the diversity of others.
- Actively involving all parents in supporting their child’s education.
- Employing inclusive teaching approaches that reflect the needs of our entire school population.
Equality in Admissions and Exclusions
Our admissions arrangements are designed to be fair and transparent, ensuring no discrimination occurs on the grounds of race, gender, religion, belief, disability, or socio-economic background. We are committed to providing all children with equal opportunities for education and inclusion within our school community.
Equal Opportunities for Staff
All staff appointments and promotions at our school are based on merit and ability, fully adhering to the law. We strive to ensure that our staffing reflects the diversity of our community, fostering an inclusive environment for everyone.
Protected Characteristics.
Our curriculum is built around The Equalities Act of 2010 and the Protected Characteristics.
The 2010 Equality Act makes it an offense to discriminate against a person due to the 9 protected characteristic(s). At Renishaw Primary School no form of discrimination is tolerated and our pupils show respect for those who share the protected characteristics.
The protected characteristics are deliberately and specifically planned into the whole school curriculum and taught through significant people and events in history – people who have faced barriers or discrimination because of their differences, and how they were able to overcome those barriers. We also use the power of storytelling to explore each protected characteristic in each year group. Each class have a collection of stories that exemplify each protected characteristic
There are opportunities for pupils to reflect, discuss and give their own views on attitudes towards the protected characteristics in the past and how these might be similar or different from attitudes that exist today.
It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of:
Age
A person belonging to a particular age (for example 32 year olds) or range of ages (for example 18 to 30 year olds).
Disability
A person has a disability if she or he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on that person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Gender reassignment
The process of transitioning from one sex to another.
Marriage and civil partnership
Marriage is a union between a man and a woman or between a same-sex couple.
Same-sex couples can also have their relationships legally recognised as 'civil partnerships'. Civil partners must not be treated less favourably than married couples (except where permitted by the Equality Act).
Pregnancy and maternity
Pregnancy is the condition of being pregnant or expecting a baby. Maternity refers to the period after the birth, and is linked to maternity leave in the employment context. In the non-work context, protection against maternity discrimination is for 26 weeks after giving birth, and this includes treating a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding.
Race
Refers to the protected characteristic of race. It refers to a group of people defined by their race, colour, and nationality (including citizenship) ethnic or national origins.
Religion and belief
Religion refers to any religion, including a lack of religion. Belief refers to any religious or philosophical belief and includes a lack of belief. Generally, a belief should affect your life choices or the way you live for it to be included in the definition.
Sex
A man or a woman.
Sexual orientation
Whether a person's sexual attraction is towards their own sex, the opposite sex or to both sexes.
The 9 Protected Characteristics are actively promoted in school through:
- Our school ethos statements, vision and values
- Our school Behaviour Policy
- Conscious role modelling by all adults in the school community
- Active engagement and communication with parents and carers
- A planned and carefully constructed calendar of assemblies across the year.
- British Values themes for week
- Discussion within curriculum subjects, taking a cross-curricular approach
- Promoting articulation by building appropriate language and a coherent vocabulary within all subjects but especially in Relationship, Social, Health and Economic Education sessions, Religious Education lessons, , LGBT discussions and Protected Characteristic talks
- Sporting, Art and Cultural events
- Pupil Voice and school Council
- Educational visits and real-life learning outside the classroom
- Guest speakers and visitors to school to supplement assembly themes.
- Developing links with local, national and international communities
- Extra-curricular activities, after-school clubs, charity work and work within the local community.
Legal Framework
Renishaw Primary School embraces its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010, including Specific Duties, to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations concerning age (as appropriate), disability, ethnicity, gender (including transgender issues and maternity/pregnancy), religion and belief, and sexual identity.
We also welcome our duty under the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to promote community cohesion.
Additionally, we recognise that these duties align with international human rights standards, as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Human Rights Act 1998.
For more details, please refer to our SEND page.
Supporting Policies
The school has a range of policies that make explicit the school’s commitment to actively promoting equality of opportunity for all. The main policies that deal with equality of opportunity are:
- SMSC Policy
- Accessibility Policy
- Equality and Diversity Policy
- SEND Policy
- Behaviour Policy
- Religious Education Policy
- Relationships and Sex Education Policy
- Curriculum and Subject Policies