Public Sector Equality Duty     

Aims

Our school aims to meet its obligations under the public sector equality duty by having due regard for 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 share it 

What is the Public Sector Equality Duty (the PSED)?

The Equality Act 2010 introduced a single, general duty for public bodies, including schools, and which extends to all ‘protected characteristics’ – race, disability, sex, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, and gender reassignment. 

Legislation and guidance

This statement and our Equality Information and Objectives Documents 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

How does Altofts Junior School comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty?

The school has a range of policies which make explicit the school’s commitment to actively promoting equality of opportunity for all. The main policies that deal with equality of opportunity are: 

• Accessibility Policy and Plan
• Equality policy 
• SEND policy 
• Behaviour policy 

Altofts Junior School prides itself on being an inclusive school that cares for every individual child. In doing so, we promote and deliver a range of strategies to ensure that we comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty.  It is through our weekly themes that are explored in assemblies and learning sessions that give all of our pupils the opportunity to discuss and explore the values that underpin the PSED.

We have set a clear vision and values which expect all our staff to act in a non-discriminating manner and be mindful to avoid actions that will be deemed as such to the public and our wider community. 

We have up-to-date and ratified policies which set out a clear message that discrimination is not tolerated: staff code of conduct, behaviour, anti-bullying, safeguarding and child protection. 

We understand that it is unlawful to fail to make reasonable adjustments to overcome barriers to using services caused by disability and one of our equalities objectives addresses this. All areas of the school environment are accessible to pupils, staff and visitors to the school.

The governing body and school leaders involved in recruitment will avoid unlawful discrimination in all aspects of employment including recruitment, promotion, opportunities for training, pay and benefits, discipline and selection for redundancy. Another one of our equalities objectives addresses this. 

Through a structured PSHE curriculum offer, assemblies, workshops and visits, equalities will be discussed with and taught to the children, exemplifying the British Values and school values that we believe in. The curriculum include opportunities to understand the issues related to race, disability and gender.

We take part in Does the school take part in annual events such as: Black History Month, Deaf Awareness and Downs Syndrome Awareness Day

Information is collected on race, disability and gender with regards to both pupils and staff and is used to inform the policies, plans and strategies, lessons, additional support, training and activities the school provides. Pupil achievement is analysed by race, disability and gender for trends and patterns which are taken into account when planning lessons and interventions.

Pupils are encouraged to participate in school life and make a positive contribution through assemblies, the Junior Leadership Team and the School Council.

March 2023

Our school values underpin the above principles.

We have four equality objectives. They are:

Objective 1: To raise the profile of the 9 protected characteristics.  

Why we have chosen this objective: 

We believe that all children, parents and staff need to understand the school ethos is to make everyone is safe and equal. 

Objective 2: To monitor and analyse pupil achievement by race, gender and disability and act on and trends and patterns. 

Why we have chosen this objective: 

We have chosen this to ensure that we are monitoring carefully the performance of groups and using the information when planning lessons and interventions.

Objective 3: To provide regular opportunities in our school curriculum to explore the 9 protected characteristics. 

Why we have chosen this objective:

 We have chosen this for children to gain knowledge about the protected characteristics in real life contexts, events and situations.  

Objective 4: To further develop pupils understanding of tolerance and respect.

Why we have chosen this objective: 

As these are two values which are essential in modern day society and for the future of our children.