Equality, diversity and accessibility
At Sandiway Primary School, we are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents and carers irrespective of race, gender, disability, belief, sexual orientation, age or socio-economic background.
We aim to develop a culture of inclusion and diversity in which all those connected to the school feel proud of their identity and ability to participate fully in school life.
"Avoiding discrimination and promoting equality supports the agenda of improving attainment and progression for all pupils. Good education and skills are crucial for opening up opportunities and increasing the chance of a successful life." The Equality Act 2010
We tackle discrimination through the positive promotion of equality, by challenging bullying and stereotypes and by creating an environment which champions respect for all.
The Equality Act 2010 provides a single legal framework to provide a more effective means of tackling disadvantage and discrimination. It harmonises previous equality legislation much of what is required by schools is already being carried out by them. Schools are required to have due regard to the need to:
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eliminate discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Act,
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advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it,
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foster good relations across all characteristics - between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
We recognise that children arrive in school from a wide range of starting points, each with their individual strengths and challenges. To treat then with equality, to be useful and kind, we seek to treat each child according to his or her need.
Some pupils need praise and affirmation for very small things, for others to thrive it is important we expect more from them than what they can do easily. What is important, is that praise and affirmation are for the 'over and above' effort children put in: to their learning, their personal and social development and of course, to their learning.
We aim to represent the diversity of families we serve, in our culture and through the curriculum. We welcome all our children and families. Books in the library, maths problems and literature in class represent the diversity of beliefs, people and families in modern Britain and in school.
Schools’ duties around accessibility for disabled pupils
Schools need to carry out accessibility planning for disabled pupils. These are the same duties as previously existed under the Disability Discrimination Act and have been replicated in the Equality Act 2010 Part 5A of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) requires the Local Academy Board to:
- promote equality of opportunity for disabled people: pupils, staff, parents, carers and other people who use the school or may wish to; and
- prepare and publish a Disability Equality Scheme to show how they will meet these duties.
This Accessibility Plan forms part of the Disability Equality Scheme and sets out how the Local Academy Board will improve equality of opportunity for disabled people. The SEN and Disability Act 2001 extended the DDA to cover education, so since 2002 the Governing Body has had three key duties towards disabled pupils under part 4 of the DDA.
- Not to treat disabled pupils less favourably for reasons related to their disability
- To make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils, so that they are not at a substantial disadvantage including potential adjustments which may be needed in the future.
- To plan to increase access to education for disabled pupils.
This plan sets out the proposals of the Local Academy Board of the school to increase access to education for disabled pupils in the three areas required by the planning duties in the DDA.
- increasing the extent to which disabled pupils can participate in the school curriculum;
- improving the physical environment of the school to increase the extent to which disabled pupils can take advantage of education and associated services;
- improving the delivery to disabled pupils of information which is provided in writing for pupils who are not disabled.
It is a requirement that the school’s Accessibility Plan is resourced, implemented, reviewed and revised as necessary. In drawing up the Accessibility Plan the school has set the following priorities:
- To provide safe access throughout the school for all school users, irrespective of their disability.
- To ensure that the teaching and learning environment and the resources used are suitable for all staff and pupils, tailoring the requirements to suit individual needs.
We are committed to providing a fully accessible environment which values and includes all pupils, staff, parents and visitors regardless of their education, physical, sensory, social, spiritual, emotional and cultural needs. We are committed to challenging negative attitudes about disability and accessibility and to developing a culture of awareness, tolerance and inclusion. We plan, over time, to maintain/increase the accessibility of provision for all pupils, staff and visitors to the school.