Promotion of Protected Characteristics at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Primary School
The Single Equality Act combines all nine of the protected characteristics which we seek to uphold at St Andrew the Apostle Catholic Primary school:
Protected Characteristics
- Sex
- Age
- Race
- Disability
- Religion or belief
- Sexual orientation
- Gender reassignment
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Marriage and civil partnership
At St Andrew the Apostle we will ensure that at every level, in all our work and throughout all aspects of the school community and its life, everyone will be treated equally. This document supports our Equality Policy summarises our approach in ensuring equality for all. 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.
We believe that a greater level of success from pupils and staff can be achieved by realising the uniqueness of individuals. Creating an inclusive environment where individuals feel confident and at ease is a commitment of the school. This environment will be achieved by:
Equality Objectives
- Always treating all members of the school community fairly and with respect.
- Developing an understanding of diversity and inclusion and the benefits it can have.
- 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 and virtues.
- Adopting an inclusive curriculum that is accessible to all and reduce barriers to learning.
- Encouraging compassion and open-mindedness.
- Challenging bias and calling it out in order to move the conversation forward.
- Challenging stereotyping and prejudice whenever it occurs.
- Ensuring that all recruitment, employment, promotion and training systems are fair to all and provide opportunities for everyone to achieve.
Under the Equality Act you are protected from discrimination:
When you are in the workplace
When you use public services like healthcare (for example, visiting your doctor or local hospital) or education (for example, at your school or college)
When you use businesses and other organisations that provide services and goods (like shops, restaurants, and cinemas)
When you use transport
When you join a club or association (for example, your local tennis club)
When you have contact with public bodies like your local council or government departments
The 9 Protected Characteristics are actively promoted in school through:
Our school ethos statements, SDP and SEF
Our Golden Charter
Our school values
Our school positive behaviour and relationships policy
Conscious role modelling by all adults in the school community
Active engagement and communication with parents and carers
Collective Worship and Celebration Assemblies
Oracy topics on Picture News
British Values
Discussion within curriculum subjects
Promoting articulation by building appropriate language and a coherent vocabulary
Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE)
No Outsiders
Character Education
Religious Education (RE) lessons, RSE lessons
Protected Characteristic assembly
Pupil Voice and Staff Voice
Educational visits
School Council, Worship Warriors, Buddies, Green Knights
Developing links with local, national and international communities
Extra-curricular activities, after-school clubs, charity work and work within the local community
Embedding Protected Characteristics into the whole school ethos promotes:
Self-esteem, self-knowledge and self-confidence
Respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process
Acceptance of responsibility for their own behaviour
Respect for their own and other cultures
Understanding of how they can contribute positively to school and home life and to the lives of those living and working in the locality and further afield
An understanding of Equality, Human Rights and Protected Characteristics
An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process
An appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety
An understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
An acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
An understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination
