Equality Scheme and Objectives

We believe that the Equality Act provides a framework to support our commitment to value diversity, promote equality, tackle discrimination and foster good relationships. It also ensures that we continue to tackle issues of disadvantage and underachievement of different groups. Heelands is an inclusive school where we focus on the well-being and progress of every child and where all members of our community are of equal worth. The following key principles underpin our approach to equality:

1. All learners are of equal value

2. We recognise and respect difference

3. We foster positive attitudes, relationships and a shared sense of belonging and cohesion.

4. We observe good equalities practice in staff recruitment, retention and development.

5. We aim to reduce and remove inequalities and barriers that already exist.

6. We have the highest expectations of all our children.

Protected Characteristics

There are nine protected characteristics protected under the Equality Act 2010. They are:

In order to protect all pupils from discrimination, the school collects information on protected characteristics as well as pupils eligible for Free School Meals (FSM), pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEND), disadvantaged pupils, pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL), young carers, looked after children, white British pupils, any other vulnerable groups.

We track and monitor the progress and attainment of groups of children or individuals and by providing equal opportunities to access the curriculum, we hope to ensure that gaps in attainment for pupils within any of the above groups is removed, or at least remains less than the gap nationally.

Eliminating discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Act

We give careful consideration to equality issues in everything that we do at Heelands School and we work towards eliminating discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act. We aim to eliminate discrimination by:

• Adoption of this single Equality Scheme

• Ensuring that all children feel safe at school and we address prejudicial bullying

• Recording, responding to and monitoring all racist incidents

• Regularly monitoring the curriculum to ensure that it meets the needs of our pupils, promotes diversity and challenges negative stereotyping

• Teaching is of the highest quality to ensure children reach their potential and all pupils are given equal entitlement to success

• Tracking pupil progress to ensure that all children make good progress

• Ensuring that all pupils have the opportunity to access extra-curricular provision

• Listening to and monitoring views and experiences of pupils and adults to evaluate the effectiveness of our policies and procedures.

Advancing equality of opportunity between people who share a protected  characteristic and people who don't

We advance equality of opportunity by:

• Using the information we gather to identify underachieving groups or individuals and plan targeted intervention

• Ensuring participation of parents/carers and pupils in school development

• Listening to parents/carers

• Listening to pupils at all times

 Fostering good relations across all characteristics - between people who share a  protected characteristic and those who don’t

We foster good relations by ensuring that:

• Heelands School is seen as a focal point within our local community

• Equality and diversity are embedded in the curriculum, our values and our ethos

Equality Objectives

In order to ensure equality of education and opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents and carers irrespective of race, gender, disability, belief, religion or socio-economic background we have set the following objectives:

• Objective 1: To monitor and analyse pupil achievement by race, gender and disability and act on any trends or patterns in the data that require additional support for pupils.

• Objective 2: To raise levels of attainment in core subjects for vulnerable learners.

• Objective 3: To review levels of parental and pupil engagement in learning and across all areas of school  life to ensure equity and fairness in access and engagement.

         You can also download our Accessibility Plan below