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Equality and Diversity

The Equality Act 2010 requires us to publish information that demonstrates that we have due regard for the need to:

  • 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

At Blaydon West Primary School:-

  • We try to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and respectfully
  • We want to 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:
    • their age
    • a disability
    • their ethnicity, colour or national origin
    • their sex
    • their gender identity (whether they have reassigned or plan to reassign their gender)
    • their marital or civil partnership status
    • their being pregnant or having recently had a baby
    • their religion or belief
    • their sexual identity and orientation

We recognise that some children need extra support to help them to achieve and be successful.

We try to make sure that people from different groups are consulted and are involved in our decisions, especially children, parents and those of us who can be treated less favourably.

We welcome our duties:-

  • 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)

We also welcome the emphasis of Ofsted inspections on the importance of accelerating the progress of children from groups who are underachieving.

As part of this we will:

  • Outline how we have due regard for equality and how we promote community cohesion
  • Publish equality objectives to show how we plan to tackle particular inequalities and improve what we do

Promoting Fundamental British Values.

In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is “right” and “wrong”, all people living in England are subject to its law.

Promoting British Values

There is an expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

This is something of significance within all schools. At Blaydon West we believe we have long instilled many positive personal values in our pupils which are integral to living in Britain. Our nurturing school gives children the opportunity to develop into caring, responsible and respectful adults who can make a positive contribution to our society, country and to the world at large.

Democracy

  • We teach pupils how they can influence decision making through the democratic process by giving them opportunities to vote on key decisions that affect them for example  The School Council
  • Pupil voice allows ideas to be considered frequently by School Council members and acted on where possible, for example they recently ran and organised a playground equipment refresh scheme.
  • We model how a perceived injustice can be challenged peacefully through adult interactions with pupils, use of our behaviour policy and through discussions of pertinent scenarios in class and assemblies.
  • Children are given the opportunity to feedback to school leaders through various pupil/parent questionnaires.

The Rule of Law

  • We firmly establish how pupils can distinguish between right and wrong, both through everyday interactions with pupils as well as in sharing stories, fables and other literary materials used in assemblies, PSHE and literacy.
  • We help children to respect the law and the basis on which it is made by showing how rules help communities to operate safely and fairly as well as protecting the most vulnerable in our society.
  • Children use our school code of conduct – Golden Rules
  • Children adhere to many key school policies, respecting their purpose in ensuring they remain safe and happy in school (e.g. behaviour policy, uniform policy, attendance policy).

Individual Liberty

  • We implement a strong anti-bullying message and hold a themed anti-bullying week every November.
  • Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms safely – for example, through our E-Safety lessons in computing and in PSHE lessons.
  • We challenge stereotypes through our assembly themes
  • We aim to provide children with the freedom to make choices at school – whether in class or whether they  participate in our extra-curricular provision.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

  • Our RE curriculum provides many opportunities for children to learn about and develop an appreciation of the  beliefs of those of different faiths around the world. Learning is often supplemented by visitors to our school who follow these faiths and through our assembly themes which are linked to the key festivals of different faiths.
  • We pride ourselves on modelling positive relationships for children and with children & adults..
  • Our children are inherently tolerant and respectful of each other and adults in our school. They are polite and have outstanding behaviour – often commented on when the go on educational visits.
  • Our children are able to  solve minor disputes and they give support to each other where needed.
  • We always  challenge any prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour through discussion and use of assemblies