Long Mountain Church of England Primary and Pre-school publishes information to demonstrate how it is complying with legal equality requirements as a public sector equality duty.

The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination on the basis of ‘protected characteristics’ and introduced the public sector equality duty, which requires schools to publish information to demonstrate how they are complying with the public sector equality duty and to publish equality objectives.

The Headteacher monitors the school population profile with respect to certain characteristics, including gender, ethnic background, first languages, religions and beliefs, and special educational needs and disabilities. The Equality Act defines disability as when a person 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. The school maintains confidential records for attendance, behaviour, accidents, welfare, safeguarding and any prejudice related incidents. The school also monitors the educational progress and attainment of children. This information is analysed and reported on to governors to avoid discrimination, ensure equality of opportunity and foster good relations across all groups.

The governors regularly review school policies, procedures and practices to ensure that they comply with the requirements of relevant legislation. Further information is provided in the relevant school policies.

Published information is reviewed annually and equality objectives are reviewed at least once every four years.

Equality duties

The school has a duty to have due regard to:

• eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other prohibited conduct
• advance equality of opportunity for people with one or more protected characteristics
• foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and others

These objectives apply to all aspects of the school and members of the school community, including developing policies, making decisions, delivering services and employing people.

Children

While relatively few children at the school currently come from minority ethnic backgrounds, their needs are taken into account and they are offered every equality of opportunity irrespective of race, religion or belief. School leaders and staff are also aware of the need for an active approach to multicultural teaching and learning with consideration for many different cultures and beliefs.

Children are encouraged to participate fully in all school activities and have equality of opportunities irrespective of gender or identity. The school also actively seeks to avoid sex or gender stereotypes, promotes a culture of acceptance and will not tolerate bullying, harassment or marginalisation.

The school has policies covering special educational needs and disability, as well as children with socially disadvantaged backgrounds, and looked after children. The school works closely with parents and carers to ensure that children with particular needs and vulnerable children are suitably supported in their teaching and learning at school and at home.

Parents, carers and visitors

The school extends its principles of equality to all those using the school facilities and aims to accommodate their particular needs. People with protected characteristics are particularly encouraged to participate in the work of the school. The school building is considered accessible and accessibility requirements are considered in all aspects of policy and planning. The school web site is designed to be accessible to assistive technologies. While the school seeks to use online services where possible, information is also available and can be  provided in paper form on request.

Employees and governors

Like all employers, the school is legally obliged to provide equality of opportunity to all current and prospective employees. This also extends to school governors. The school ensures that its policies, procedures and practices do not discriminate against any people with protected characteristics, including age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy and maternity. Best practice processes are applied to the recruitment and advancement of staff to ensure equality of opportunity.

Equality information

• Current school population (gender MFN, first language other than English, SEND)
• Number of reported equality and discrimination issues or incidents in the last year

Equality objectives

• To promote cultural development and understanding through a rich range of experiences both in and beyond the school, with particular reference to issues of equality and diversity.
• To keep children safe from prejudiced based bullying in relation to the protected characteristics listed in the Equality Act 2010.
• To review levels of parental and pupil engagement in learning and school life, across all activities to ensure equity and fairness in access and engagement.
• To monitor and analyse pupil progress and attainment by race, gender and disability and act upon any trends or patterns in data that require additional support for pupils.