Equality and Diversity Statement
Verulam School is required to hold and publish information about how we comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty. This is addressed within our Equality and Diversity Statement below.
LEGAL DUTIES
As a school we welcome our duties under the Equality Act 2010. The general duties are to:
- eliminate discrimination,
- advance equality of opportunity
- foster good relations
We understand the principle of the Act and the work needed to ensure that those with protected characteristics are not discriminated against and are given equality of opportunity.
A protected characteristic under the act covers the groups listed below:
- age (for employees not for service provision),
- disability
- ethnicity
- gender
- gender reassignment
- maternity and pregnancy
- religion and belief, and
- sexual orientation
- Marriage and Civil Partnership (for employees)
At Verulam, the 9 Protected Characteristics are promoted with all stakeholders, so that they are reminded of the duty that they have to eliminate discrimination in society.
In order to meet our general duties, listed above, the law requires us to do some specific duties to demonstrate how we meet the general duties. Â These are to:
- Publish equality information – to demonstrate compliance with the general duty across its functions – by 6 April 2012
We will not publish any information that can specifically identify any individual child or adult
- Prepare and publish equality objectives – by 6 April 2012
To do this we will collect data related to the protected characteristics above and analyse this data to determine our focus for our equality objectives. The data will be assessed across our core provisions as a school. This will include the following functions:
- Admissions
- Attendance
- Attainment
- Exclusions
- Prejudice related incidents
Our objectives will detail how we will ensure equality is applied to the services listed above however where we find evidence that other functions have a significant impact on any particular group we will include work in this area.
We also welcome our duty under the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to promote community cohesion.
We recognise that these duties reflect international human rights standards as expressed in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, and the Human Rights Act 1998.
CORE STATEMENTS
In fulfilling our legal obligations, we will be guided by seven core statements:
Statement 1:Â All learners are of equal value.
Statement 2:Â We recognise, welcome and respect diversity.
Statement 3:Â We foster positive attitudes and relationships, and a shared sense of belonging.
Statement 4:Â We observe good equalities practice, including staff recruitment, retention and development.
Statement 5:Â We aim to reduce and remove existing inequalities and barriers.
Statement 6:Â We consult and involve widely
Statement 7:Â We strive to ensure that society will benefit.
OUR ETHOS
At Verulam School we believe that everyone should exhibit and experience Excellence, Character and Respect.
At Verulam School we;
- aim to provide stimulating challenges in an atmosphere where pupils experience success and enjoyment.
- aim to create a curriculum that is sensitive and appropriate for all pupils, preserving dignity at all times.
- through established community links, we aim to enrich the curriculum of every pupil so they can be as independent as possible within their environment.
- aim to provide a happy, caring and supporting environment through understanding and responding to life opportunities.
- aim to create a sense of belonging for all through consistent approaches to learning and self-discipline, recognising effort and achievement.
SCHOOL OBJECTIVES
Objective 1:Â To review levels of parental and pupil engagement in learning and school life, across all activities to ensure equity and fairness in access and engagement.
Objective 2:  To specialise in Diversity and Inclusion through working towards achieving the Herts for Learning Wellbeing Quality Mark.
ADDRESSING PREJUDICE RELATED INCIDENTS
This school is opposed to all forms of prejudice and we recognise that children and young people who experience any form of prejudice related discrimination may fare less well in the education system.
We provide both our pupils and staff with an awareness of the impact of prejudice in order to prevent any incidents.
If incidents still occur we address them immediately and report them to the Local Authority using their guidance material. The Local Authority may provide some support.
RESPONSIBILITY
We believe that promoting Equality is the responsibility of everyone in the school community:
| School Community | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Governing Body | Involving and engaging the whole school community in identifying and understanding equality barriers and in the setting of objectives to address these. The Governing Body will also agree the Equality Statement and objectives. |
| Headteacher | As above including:
Promoting key messages to staff, parents and pupils about equality and what is expected of them and can be expected from the school in carrying out its day to day duties. Ensuring that the whole school community receives adequate training to meet the need of delivering equality, including pupil awareness. Ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibility to record and report prejudice related incidents. |
| Senior Leadership Team | To support the Headteacher as above.
Ensure fair treatment and access to services and opportunities. Ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibility to record and report prejudice related incidents. |
| Teaching Staff | Help in delivering the right outcomes for pupils.
Uphold the commitment made to pupils and parents/carers on how they can be expected to be treated. Design and deliver an inclusive curriculum. Ensure that you are aware of your responsibility to record and report prejudice related incidents. |
| Non-Teaching Staff | Support the school and the governing body in delivering a fair and equitable service to all stakeholders.
Uphold the commitment made by the Headteacher on how pupils and parents/carers can be expected to be treated. Support colleagues within the school community. Ensure that you are aware of your responsibility to record and report prejudice related incidents. |
| Parents | Take an active part in identifying barriers for the school community and in informing the governing body of actions that can be taken to eradicate these. Take an active role in supporting and challenging the school to achieve the commitment given to the school community in tackling inequality and achieving equality of opportunity for all. |
| Pupils | Support the school to achieve the commitment made to tackling inequality.
Uphold the commitment made by the Headteacher on how pupils and parents/carers, staff and the wider school community can be expected to be treated. |
| Local Community Members | Take an active part in identifying barriers for the school community and in informing the governing body of actions that can be taken to eradicate these.
Take an active role in supporting and challenging the school to achieve the commitment made to the school community in tackling inequality and achieving equality of opportunity for all. |
We will ensure that the whole school community is aware of the Equality & Diversity Statement and our published equality information and objectives by publishing them on our school’s website.
BREACHES
Breaches to this statement will be dealt with in the same ways that breaches of other school policies are dealt with, as determined by the Headteacher and governing body.
MONITORING AND REVIEW
Every three years, we will review our objectives in relation to any changes in our school profile. Our objectives will sit in our overall school improvement plan and therefore will be reviewed as part of this process.
The Senior Leadership Team and Governors at Verulam School regularly review the progress we are making towards meeting our equality objectives and report annually on any matters arising from our monitoring of this.
