'Learning & growing together in Christ'
The Equality Act 2010 was introduced to ensure protection from discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the grounds of specific characteristics (referred to as protected characteristics).
The Act covers the following protected characteristics:
(Note: the first and last protected characteristics above are listed in the revised Equality Act 2010, but are not listed in the DfE guidance. Age as a protected characteristic does not apply to pupils in schools, so pupils can be treated in ways appropriate to their age and stage of development without risk of legal challenge)
This means that schools cannot discriminate against pupils and staff, or treat them less favourably because of their protected characteristic.
The Act requires all schools to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and two specific duties.
The PSED requires us as a school to:
Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
Advance equality of opportunity between different groups
Foster good relations between different groups.
The two ‘specific duties’ requires us to:
Annual Equality Statement:
‘You created my inmost being; You knit me together. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’
Psalm 139.13
‘St Hilda’s CE (VA) Primary School is committed to ensuring equality for all pupils and staff. All pupils and staff are provided with opportunities to fulfil their potential whatever their sex, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, disability or religious belief.’
The vision and values we uphold as a school help to emphasise equality for all pupils and staff at all times and consideration of pupils (and staff) with a protected characteristic are always considered when updating or writing all school policies and procedures.
Please read our Equality & Diversity Policy for details of how meet our obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), our Equality Objectives and for further information.