Equality and Diversity

As an academy we are passionate believers that every student has the right to an education where they can learn safely and without prejudice. We also believe that all stakeholders including students, staff, visitors and parents/carers should be treated with respect. 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).  As a public organisation we are required to:

  1. Publish information to show compliance with the Equality Duty. This work is led by Hannah Cole, Assistant Principal. Please contact Hannah at [email protected] if you require further information to the information on this page.
  2. Publish Equality Objectives which are specific and measurable.

For schools, this means that it is unlawful to discriminate against students or treat them less favourably because of their gender, race, disability, religion or belief, gender re-assignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity.  Marriage and civil partnerships and age are also protected characteristics. Through measures including our PSHE and Citizenship curriculum, pastoral care system, tutor times and student leadership we aim to promote equality and diversity throughout our academy. We also have an Equality Ambassador team made up of staff members.

Under the act the academy is expected to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty.  This requires us to:

  • Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
  • Advance equality of opportunity between different groups
  • Foster good relations between different groups

Our Equality Objectives reflect the academy priorities and draw upon available data and other evidence.  Analysis of this is undertaken in order to ensure that we are working to achieve improved outcomes for different groups.

 Our Equality Objectives are:

  1. To promote cultural understanding and awareness of different religious beliefs between different ethnic groups within our school community both through Religious Educations lessons, workshops and twinning programme.
  2. To promote and audit the involvement of all groups of students in the extra-curricular life of the academy.
  3. To promote student leadership across all areas of school life and encourage representation from the whole school community.
  4. To close gaps in attainment and achievement between students and all groups of students; especially boys and girls, students eligible for free-school meals, students with special educational needs and disabilities, looked after children and students from different heritage groups.
  5. To reduce the amount of homophobic, transphobic, sexist and racist incidents by students in the school.