Equality Information and Objectives Statement

At Elangeni School we are committed to ensuring that all of our pupils achieve their full potential and recognise those who have protected characteristics. We are also committed to tackling any inequalities related to race, gender and disability that may impede children’s progress or well-being.

We welcome our duties under the Equality Act 2010. The school’s general duties with regard to equality are:

• Eliminating discrimination.
• Fostering good relationships.
• Advancing equality of opportunity.

We will not discriminate against, harass or victimise any staff member, pupil, prospective pupil, or other member of the school community because of their:

• Sex
• Age
• Race
• Disability
• Religion or belief
• Sexual orientation
• Gender reassignment
• Pregnancy or maternity
• Marriage and civil partnership

Equality of opportunity and non-discrimination extends to the treatment of all members of the school community. All staff members are obliged to act in accordance will the school’s various policies relating to equality.

We will guarantee that no redundancy is the result of direct or indirect prejudice. All disciplinary procedures are non-prejudicial, whether they result in warnings, dismissal, or any other disciplinary action.

We aim to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, with special emphasis on promoting equality and diversity, and eradicating prejudicial incidents for pupils and staff. Our school is committed to not only eliminating discrimination, but also increasing understanding and appreciation for diversity.

Aims to eradicate discrimination

We aim to be an inclusive school and engage with all our children, parents, carers, staff and governors through our shared vision and core values. Our school is committed to equality both as an employer and as a service-provider:

• We ensure that every member of our school community is treated fairly and with respect.
• Our school is a safe, secure, vibrant and friendly environment for everyone.
• We recognise that people have different needs and we understand that treating people equally does not always involve treating them exactly the same.
• We recognise that some pupils’ extra support is needed to help them be happy, to achieve and to be successful.
• We ensure that people from different groups are consulted in our decisions, for example asking for feedback from the children on a regular basis.

As a school, we pay due regard to equality by:

• Dealing promptly with complaints of bullying and/or harassment related to the protected characteristics.
• Ensuring that the school building and environment provides full accessibility for people with disabilities.
• Ensuring our curriculum, resources and the presentation of the school promote positive images of everyone within our school community and including the teaching about different faiths and visiting places of worship.
• Challenging bias and calling it out in order to move the conversation forward.
• Adopting an inclusive attitude and ensuring that the whole school community understands what inclusive behaviour looks like in the school and how this aligns with the school’s values.
• Monitoring the attainment and progress of all out pupils by gender, ethnicity, SEND, PP and where necessary taking action to diminish any differences.

We are committed to having a balanced, diverse and fair curriculum. We believe that our pupils should be given the opportunity to explore ideas and concepts that may challenge their understanding, to help ensure that pupils learn to become more accepting and inclusive of others. Challenging and controversial concepts are delivered in a way that prevents discrimination and promotes inclusive attitudes.

Dealing with prejudice and celebrating diversity

We do not tolerate any form of prejudice-related incident. Whether direct or indirect, we treat discrimination against all members of our school with the utmost severity. When an incident is reported, our school is devoted to ensuring appropriate action is taken and a resolution is put into place which is both fair and firm.

Our pupils are taught to be:

• Understanding of others.
• Celebratory of diversity.
• Eager to reach their full potential.
• Inclusive so that each child feels that they belong, are respected, valued and seen for who they are.
• Aware of what constitutes discriminatory behaviour.

The school’s employees will not:

• Discriminate against any member of the school community.
• Treat other members of the school community unfairly.

The school’s employees will:

• Promote diversity and equality.
• Encourage and adopt an inclusive attitude.
• Lead by example.
• Seek training if they need to improve their knowledge in a particular area.

Throughout the year, the school provides a variety of opportunities to celebrate diversity, including:

• Planning activities for key diversity awareness days e.g. Disability Awareness Week,
• Inviting guest speakers and holding workshops to talk to pupils about diversity e.g. African Mask Making, wide selection of dance workshops offered to the children e.g. Bollywood, Chinese New Year,
• Incorporating lessons about diversity into the curriculum e.g. Premier League Stars Gender Stereotyping lessons

Diversity and representation

We aim to ensure that all groups are represented throughout the school. We carry out informal checks to ensure each group or board is diverse and a true representation of our school community. We, as a school understands that representation in the classroom matters. Having a diverse workforce connects cultures, sets high expectations, and reduces implicit bias.

Now we have returned to normal, non-restricted times, we will resume our range of RE trips to experience different faiths, their places of worship and how and what they celebrate. 

Inclusion

We are an inclusive school for all members of our school community. We know that we have a diverse range of pupils, parents, carers, staff and governors within our school community. We are committed to ensuring the best quality of education and experience for all our pupils under our care.

All of our pupils have the responsibility to be active and engaged learners, showing excellent behaviour at all times whilst showing respect and tolerance for their peers and the staff that work with them.

Every single one of our pupils is given the chance to engage in a broad and balanced school curriculum that is supplemented by trips and visitors each term. Work is tailored appropriately to meet pupils’ needs and pupils will always be challenged to achieve their very best in every lesson. All pupils have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of extra -curricular activities and opportunities.

The school ensures it has due regard to equality considerations whenever significant decisions are made.

The school always considers the impact of significant decisions on particular groups. For example, when a school trip or activity is being planned, the school considers whether the trips:

• Occurs during any religious holidays.
• Is accessible to pupils with disabilities.
• Has equivalent facilities for boys and girls

We remain flexible in our planning of events. As our school community changes, so do the specific considerations we need to consider in order to be sensitive to each individual.

For example, we do not draw attention to Mothers’ Day or Fathers’ Day as we have pupils who have lost a parent. 

Closing statement

Prejudice is not tolerated and we are continuously working towards a more accepting and respectful environment for our school community.