What is the Public Sector Equality Duty (the PSED)?
The Public Sector Equality Duty requires public bodies to promote equality. The relevant protected characteristics are-
- age
- disability,
- gender reassignment
- pregnancy and maternity
- race
- religion or belief
- sex
- sexual orientation
Aims
Our school aims to meet its obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) by having due regard to the need to:
- Eliminate discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act 201
- 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
Legislation and guidance
- 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
- Department for Education (DfE) guidance: The Equality Act 2010 and schools.
- To promote spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and understanding through a rich range of experiences.
Intended actions and impactObjective 1:
Teaching and Learning
- Educate all about discrimination and prejudice and promote a harmonious/kind/understanding culture and climate.
- To reduce prejudice and increase understanding of equality through direct teaching across the curriculum
- Children and staff have a good understanding of equality, diversity and racism.
- Greater understanding and respect of differences.
- Issues are covered through lessons, assemblies and staff CPD.
- The school vision and values promote respect and understanding for the differences within society, the local community and within school.
- Extend pupils’ understanding of the range of peoples, cultures and religions.
- Curriculum overview and RE scheme of work to be monitored to ensure coverage.
- Review diversity with the curriculum including assemblies, trips, experiences and visitors
- Children demonstrate a good understanding of different religions and cultures through work in books, assemblies and discussions/pupil voice.
- Children’s understanding of objectives linking to PSHE, SMSC, British values and positive mental health strategies is improved and strengthened.
- Racist/discrimination incidents are low/nil
Objective 2:
Talking Inclusion, Diversity and Equality
We will continue conversations with our school leaders and staff about Inclusion, Diversity and Equality at Stockham School. This will include a refresher about the equality duty, school values, the data for staff and pupils including protected characteristics and achievement/progress, (how discrimination works), and the benefits of an inclusive and diverse environment.
Impact.
- Staff recommend the Stockham as a place to work and as an inclusive place of work
- Parents recommend Stockham an inclusive school
- Leadership team routinely demonstrate their commitment to equality
- The GB identify equality related impacts and risks and discuss with the senior leadership team how they will be mitigated and managed.
- An established culture of valuing diversity
Objective 3:
Addressing educational disadvantage
We will review how children who are making less than expected progress may be affected by characteristics or socio-economic disadvantage, and whether the policies and practices designed to support their educational needs are effective. This will include a review of whether and how those characteristics and socio-economic disadvantages impair their learning.
Intended actions and impact.
- Pupils on the school’s SEND register and children identified as vulnerable or disadvantaged are supported and make good progress/achieving well from starting points.
- Gap narrowed as whole school cohort and within specific year groups and subjects (as identified through data analysis/capture)
- Gaps narrowed in specific subjects (as identified through data analysis)
- Provide a range of educational opportunities for parents to develop their own skills to support their children.
- Parents report that they are well supported in helping their children to access the curriculum at home.