Since April 2012 all public bodies, including all local authorities and all schools have been bound by what is known as the Public Sector Equality Duty (Section 149 of the Equality Act). This replaces previous statutory duties on race, gender and disability and covers the 9 protected characteristics.
All schools have a general duty to promote equality. This duty has three main elements; which all schools must have due regard to the need to:
- Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act 2010.
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and people who do not share it by removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by people which are connected to a particular characteristic they have, taking steps to meet the particular needs of people who have a particular characteristic, encouraging people who have a particular characteristic to participate fully in any activities.
- Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
Our academy also tackles prejudice and promote understanding through the curriculum, community cohesion, anti-bullying policies.
- We try to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and with respect.
- We work hard to make sure that the academy is a safe and secure environment for everyone.
- We recognise that people have different needs, and we understand that treating people equally does not always involve treating them all exactly the same.
- We recognise that for some students extra support is needed to help them to achieve and be successful.
- We try to make sure that people from different groups are consulted and involved in our decisions, for example through talking to students and parents/carers, and through our Student Council.
- We aim to make sure that no-one experiences harassment, less favourable treatment or discrimination because of their age; any disability they may have; their ethnicity, colour or national origin; their gender; their gender identity or reassignment; their marital or civil partnership status; being pregnant or having recently had a baby; their religion or beliefs; their sexual identity and orientation.