At St Anne’s Infants’ School we are committed to ensuring equality of education and opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents and carers receiving services from the school, irrespective of age, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation, transgender, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity or socio-economic background.

St Anne’s Infants’ School Commitment to Equalities

 

As a school, we follow the Bristol Equalities Charter and Children’s Charter and adhere to them through our school policies.

 

Advancing Equality of Opportunity

 

• The school takes steps to meet the particular needs of people who have a particular characteristic (e.g. making necessary adaptions for people with health needs or disabilities) to ensure equality of access. See the School Access Plan

 

• The school encourages people who have a particular characteristic to participate fully in any activities (e.g. encouraging all pupils to be involved in a range of clubs, ensuring representation of people with different characteristics within teams and committees).

 

• The school uses materials e.g. books that reflect the diversity of the school, local community and Britain today in terms of protected characteristics, without stereotyping

 

• All staff appointments and promotions are made on the basis of merit and ability and in compliance with the law. However, we strive to ensure wherever possible that the staffing of the school reflects the diversity of our community.

 

In fulfilling this aspect of the duty, the school will continue to:

 

• Monitor and analyse attainment data for specific groups to determine strengths, areas for improvement and what steps need to be taken to address differences.

 

• Monitor and analyse progress of specific groups from their starting points and address differences through the school’s Raising Attainment Plan

 

• Make evidence available identifying improvements in potential barriers for specific groups (e.g. reductions in exclusions for SEND pupils, increases in attendance for disadvantaged pupils).

 

Eliminating Discrimination

 

• The school is aware of its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and complies with non-discrimination provisions.

 

• The school has a designated member of staff for monitoring equality issues, and an equality link governor.

 

• The school regularly notifies all staff of their responsibilities with the Equality Policy and provides training updates on how to identify and respond to prejudiced-based incident. Incidents of this type are very rare at St Anne’s Infants’ School.

 

• The school promotes attitudes and values that will challenge racist and other discriminatory behaviour or prejudice.

 

• As an employer we ensure that we eliminate discrimination and harassment in our employment practice and actively promote equality across all groups within our workforce.

 

• Protected characteristics are considered when appointing staff and particularly when allocating Teaching and Learning Responsibilities (TLRs) or re-evaluating staff structures, to ensure decisions are free of discrimination.

 

• The school seeks advice from and engages with outside agencies if and when necessary.

 

Fostering Good Relations

 

• The school promotes tolerance, respect, friendship and understanding of different religions and cultures through our curriculum. This includes teaching in RE and PSHE, but also activities in other curriculum areas.

 

• The school holds assemblies which promote British Values, develop understanding of different religions and cultures, and deal with relevant issues.

 

• Working with our local community e.g. supporting the local Food Bank and homeless shelter.

 

• All pupils are encouraged to participate in school activities and teams.

 

• We also work with parents/carers to promote knowledge and understanding of and celebrate different cultures.

 

For further details of our work in relation to equalities, please see our SMSC evidence document