Equality Statement

At Robert Peel Primary School, we are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents and carers. We aim to develop a culture of inclusion and diversity in which all those connected to the school feel proud of their identity and ability to participate fully in school life. We ensure that we meet our duties in line with the Equality Act 2010.

We tackle discrimination through the positive promotion of equality, by challenging bullying and stereotypes and by creating an environment which champions respect for all. At Robert Peel, we believe that diversity is a strength which should be respected and celebrated by all those who learn, teach and visit us.

Public Sector Equality Duty

What is the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED)?

The PSED was introduced by the Equality Act 2010 and applies to all schools, including maintained and independent schools, academies, maintained nursery schools, and maintained and non-maintained special schools.

The PSED has three main elements which are:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct 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 between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

What are Protected Characteristics?

There are 9 protected characteristics:

• Age
• Sex
• Race
• Disability
• Religion or belief
• Sexual orientation
• Gender reassignment
• Pregnancy or maternity
• Marriage and civil partnership

Age as a protected characteristic does not apply to pupils in schools, so pupils will be treated in ways appropriate to their age and stage of development.

How Robert Peel Eliminates Discrimination:

• Policies are in place to cover anti-bullying, behaviour, staff pay and appraisal.
• Governor meeting minutes show equality is discussed and relevant actions taken.
• Equality issues are recorded and presented to Governors, with relevant action taken.
• Single equality objectives are identified and published. Actions are embedded into school development plans as appropriate.

How Robert Peel Advances Equality of Opportunity:

• Safer recruitment processes are in place, including panel selection and decision making that is removed from the 9 protected characteristics.
• Attainment data reviews different pupil groups e.g. gender, EAL and disadvantage. Relevant actions for specific pupil groups are built into action plans and school development.
• Bullying incidents are recorded and presented to Governors, which shows very low incidence of bullying overall, but also specifically related to a protected characteristic.
• Accessibility Plan in place, with adaptation for those with disability and a learning need.

How Robert Peel Fosters Good Relations:

• Relationships with parents fostered through clear, regular communications by newsletters, Parentmails, letter and parents' evenings. This includes ad-hoc welcome meetings and individual meetings and/or discussions with parents where there is an additional need.
• By adopting our Golden Rules that are rooted in respectful relationships. This impacts the language and approaches used to build rapport with children and our community.
• Assemblies are used to promote diversity, friendship, and understanding of a range of religions and cultures.
• By making collaboration and community a priority for school development.

How Robert Peel's Teaching & Learning promotes equality:

We provide all our pupils with the opportunity to succeed and to reach the highest level of personal achievement. We do this by:

• Ensuring equality of access for all pupils and preparing them for life in a diverse society
• Using materials that reflect the diversity of the school, population and local community without stereotyping
• Promoting attitudes and values that challenge any discriminatory behaviour or prejudice
• Providing opportunities for pupils to appreciate their own culture and celebrate the diversity of other cultures
• Seeking to involve all parents in supporting their child's education
• Utilising teaching approaches appropriate for the whole school population which are inclusive and reflective of our pupils

How Robert Peel Promotes Equality in Admissions & Exclusions

Our admissions arrangements are fair and transparent and do not discriminate on the grounds of race, gender, religion, belief, disability and/or socio-economic background.

How Robert Peel Ensures Equal Opportunities for Staff

All staff appointments and promotions are made on the basis of merit and ability and in compliance with the law. We are keen to ensure that the staffing of the school reflects the diversity of our community.

How the Whole Robert Peel Family are Treated Equal

At Robert Peel Primary School:

• We ensure that everyone is treated fairly and respectfully.
• We make sure that our school is a safe and secure place for everyone.
• We recognise that people have different needs, and we understand that treating people equally does not always involve treating them the same.
• We aim to make sure that no-one experiences less favourable treatment or discrimination because of:

- A disability.

- Ethnicity, colour or national origin.

- Gender identity (they have reassigned or plan to reassign their gender).

- Marital or civil partnership status.

- Being pregnant or having recently had a baby.

- Religion or belief.

- Sexual identity and orientation.

- Being a Young Carer.

- Being a Looked After Child.

- Being in receipt of Free School Meals.

• We recognise that some pupils need extra support to help them to achieve and be successful
• We make sure that people from different groups are consulted and are involved in our decisions, especially pupils, parents and those of us who can be treated less favourably.

Our duties are:

• To promote community cohesion (under the Education and Inspections Act 2006).
• To eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations (under the Equality Act 2010).