Download Immaculate Conception EQUALITY POLICY

Immaculate Conception
Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy
EQUALITY POLICY
Rationale
At Immaculate Conception the staff and Governors are committed to a policy of Equality in line with our Mission Statement.
We strongly believe in the dignity of each individual. Staff and pupils are entitled to work in a non-threatening and supportive
environment where there are opportunities to succeed and where self-esteem is enhanced. All individuals must be valued and
will be given the opportunity to develop to their full potential within a context of mutual respect, justice and fairness. We will
endeavour to educate and develop the whole child for a life in a multi-cultural, pluralistic society irrespective of any protect
characteristic.
Aims
At Immaculate Conception, we endeavour to:
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create a secure and caring environment.
encourage a caring and respectful attitude towards others, within school and in the wider community.
provide continuity of approach throughout school.
ensure each individual achieves their full potential and has the same chance.
break down prejudices and build positive attitudes.
promote positive self images of different sexes, religions, cultures and all society members and avoiding
stereotypes.
encourage children to have a positive self image and to take pride in their identity and achievements.
respect a child’s family and home circumstances and respect names from other cultures.
ensure names are recorded and pronounced accurately.
promote positive attitudes towards all parents and to listen to their opinions. promote the principles of
fairness and justice for all through the education that we provide in our school.
We also strive to:
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ensure that all recruitment, employment, promotion and training systems are fair to all, and to provide
opportunities for everyone to achieve.
challenge stereotyping and prejudice whenever it occurs.
celebrate the cultural diversity of our community and show respect for all minority groups.
We do not discriminate against anyone, or treat them less favourably on the basis of the following “protected
characteristics” - sex, race, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy
or maternity.
Unlawful Behaviour
The school recognises that discrimination can be in many forms, none of which are acceptable, such as –
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Direct Discrimination – occurs when one person treats another less favourably because of a protected
characteristic, than they treat, or would treat, other people
Indirect Discrimination – occurs where a “provision, criteria or practice” is applied which has the effect of
putting people who have a particular protected characteristic at a disadvantage when compared to people
without that characteristic
Harassment – unwanted conduct, related to a relevant protected characteristic, which has the purpose or
effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or
offensive environment for that person.
Victimisation – is where a person is treated less favourably because of something done (“a protected act”)
in connection with the Act e.g. because the person has brought a claim under the Act.
The school also recognises that discrimination can apply by association to a person with a protected
characteristic e.g. where the pupil is discriminated against because their parent has a protected
characteristic.
Equality and the Curriculum
Through our broad and balanced curriculum we aim to:
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provide equal access to the curriculum.
equip children with a knowledge of our society and the world and all its diversities.
provide opportunities to succeed.
promote positive self images.
provide differentiated tasks according to differing abilities.
share knowledge and experiences.
develop a sensitivity of the needs of others.
develop an insight into the feelings and viewpoints of others.
We ensure that all pupils have equal access to the full range of educational opportunities provided by the school.
Equality and Resources
The school aims to:
 provide equal access to all resources.
 provide resources for all pupils according to their needs .
 provide resources which promote positive self images of all society members and cultures.
 review teaching resources for any bias.
 discard resources with any bias.
Equality and Organisation
We recognise the principles of the equal opportunities policy when organising children in school activities,
especially:
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when grouping children.
when requesting certain forms of help around school.
Boys and girls have a unique opportunity to participate in representative team sports.
Equality and Gender
We aim to:
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ensure both girls and boys are given equal opportunities to participate in every area of school life.
discourage certain forms of stereotyping and ensure children see both male and female staff working on a
range of tasks
encourage male and female helpers in school
Equality and Race
All forms of racial abuse are unacceptable at Immaculate Conception.
We aim to:
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ensure that all pupils receive the best education the school can provide, with access to all educational
activities organised by the school.
We do not tolerate any forms of racism or racist behaviour and should a racist incident occur, we will act
immediately to prevent any repetition of the incident.
Make our school welcoming to all pupils and promote an understanding of different cultures through the
topics studied by the children.
Provide support and overcome difficulties that may be encountered by any person who has been a victim
of racism.
Our curriculum reflects the attitudes, values and respect that we have for minority ethnic groups. So, for
example, the history curriculum gives due emphasis to other traditions and cultures, and in religious education
the children study the importance of other faiths and celebrations.
Equality and Behaviour
Staff will identify unacceptable behaviour, which includes:
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mimicking to ridicule
name calling
discriminatory comments
harassment
The staff will intervene in such incidents and will follow strategies and procedures laid down to deal with it
(see Behaviour Policy)
Implementation
Equal opportunities will be addressed through:
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a differentiated curriculum.
observation.
discussion.
sharing ideas.
role play experiences.
providing good role models.
involvement of the children in rule making.
focus days/weeks
The Role of the Governors
The Governors have set out their commitment to Equality in this policy statement, and will continue to do all
it can to ensure that all members of the school community are treated fairly and with equally.
The Governors seek to ensure that people with disabilities are not discriminated against when applying for
jobs at our school. The governors take all reasonable steps to ensure that the school environment gives access
to people with disabilities.
The Governors welcome all applications to join the school, whatever background or disability a child may
have.
The Governors ensure that no child is discriminated against whilst in our school on account of their sex,
religion or race. So, for example, all children have access to the full range of the curriculum, and regulations
regarding school uniform will be applied equally to boys and girls. If a child’s religion affects the school
uniform, then the school will deal with each case sensitively and with respect for the child’s cultural
traditions.
The Role of the Headteacher
It is the Head teacher’s role to implement the school’s Equality Policy and she/he is supported by the
Governors in so doing.
It is the Head teacher’s role to ensure that all staff are aware of the school Equality Policy, and that teachers
apply these guidelines fairly in all situations.
The Headteacher ensures that all appointment panels give due regard to this policy, so that no-one is
discriminated against when it comes to employment or training opportunities.
The Headteacher promotes the principle of Equality when developing the curriculum. She/he ensures respect
for other people in all aspects of school life is promoted, for example, in collective worship and assemblies,
where respect for other people is a regular theme and in displays shown around the school.
The Headteacher treats all incidents of unfair treatment and any racist incidents with due seriousness.
The Role of the Class Teacher
The class teacher ensures that all pupils are treated fairly, equally and with respect. We do not discriminate
against any child.
All staff have a responsibility for Equality. Equality issues will be discussed, as and when appropriate, as a
means of monitoring and evaluating this policy.
When selecting classroom materials and resources, teachers pay due regard to the sensitivities of all
members of the class and do not provide material that is racist or sexist in nature. Teachers strive to provide
material that gives positive images of ethnic minorities and that challenges stereotypical images of minority
groups.
All our teachers challenge any incidents of prejudice or racism. We record any incidents and draw them to
the attention of the Head teacher. Teachers support the work of the teaching assistants and learning support
staff at all times and encourage them to intervene in a positive way against any occurrence of discrimination.
Disability Access
Immaculate Conception has a Disability Access Plan (DAP)
Conclusion
Equality is an on going process which requires integration into all areas of the curriculum and school life. It
needs to be constantly under review.
Agreed by the Governing Body:
Review Date:
29.9.2015
Autumn Term 2016