Equality and Diversity at Norton Hill Primary School
Norton Hill Primary School recognises our obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and is committed to equality, values diversity and actively supports practises that promote genuine equality of opportunity for all staff and children.
We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, bullying and harassment and will make every effort to comply with the requirements of the Act and its subsequent provisions.
We comply with SEND Regulations 2014 and make our curriculum accessible for those with disabilities or special educational needs.
We aim to meet our obligations under the public sector equality duty by having due regard to the need to:
Promoting the 9 Protected Characteristics
We strive to ensure our children understand:
There are no outsiders at Norton Hill Primary School
Everyone is different
We celebrate difference
We are all equal in our difference
The 9 Protected Characteristics
Under the Equality Act, there are nine Protected Characteristics:
Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Race
Religion or belief
Marriage or civil partnership
Sex
Sexual orientation
Pregnancy and maternity
We champion diversity and inclusion and embed the Protected Characteristics into the whole school ethos at Norton Hill Primary School by:
Linking our whole-school assemeblies to diversity and equality
Promoting the protective characteristics including high quality texts which promote diversity and inclusion
Reading and discussing picture books and stories encourages respect and develops understanding of diversity
Adopting a differentiated and adapted learning experience and environment for those with special educational needs and disabilities- supported by robust inclusion, equality and diversity policies and practises
Developing children’s self-esteem, self-knowledge, self-confidence and resilience
Understanding and celebrating differences and acknowledged the strengths of others
Embedding a culture of respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process e.g. school council
Using restorative approaches to support children to take responsibility for their own behaviour and to teach children to make good choices
Teaching children to have respect for their own and other cultures
We teach children that difference should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
Promoting an understanding of how we can all contribute positively to school and home life and to the lives of our local community
Having an understanding of Equality, Human Rights and Protected Characteristics, which is developed through staff CPD
An understanding that we have the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
Developing an understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination
Working with parents and the wider community to take an active part in identifying barriers and informing school leaders of actions that can be taken to eradicate these
We have the highest expectations for all our children and staff, and the wider community to ensure all children can flourish
At Norton Hill Primary School, we achieve this through:
Our school vision and values statements, our SIP and SEF
Our school behaviour policy
Conscious role modelling by all adults in the school community
Active engagement and communication with parents and carers
The promotion of British Values in school life
Developing a love of reading through a range of authors and genres
Discussion within curriculum subjects, taking a cross-curricular approach, for example when we learn about relationships in RSE
The Curriculum; Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) sessions and RSE lessons, Religious Education (RE) lessons and Collective Worship
Sporting events/competitions
School Council
Educational experiences and visits
Real-life learning outside the classroom
Extra-curricular activities, after-school clubs, charity work and work within the local community
Safer recruitment, retention and staff development