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School's Accessibility Plan.doc


                                   

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY

Aims

This school recognises that direct and indirect discrimination might take place and therefore sees the need for a positive and effective equal opportunities policy:

-       we will promote the concept of equality of opportunity throughout the organisation, both for those adults within the community of the school and for all students;

-       we seek to develop an understanding of, and promotion of, human equality and equal opportunities;

-       we will promote good relations between members of different racial, cultural and religious groups and communities; and

-       we will enable students to take responsibility for their behaviour and relationships with others.

 The legal background

The main statutory provision covering discrimination is the The Equality Act 2010 and associated regulations.

Also relevant are:

Employment Rights Act 1996;

Human Rights Act 1998;

Employment Relations Act 1999;

Part‑time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000;

Fixed Term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2002; and

The Statutory Code of Practice on the Duty to Promote Race Equality.

 

The school’s values, aims and objectives all accord with the equal treatment of people promoted by these laws and regulations, and the rights enshrined in the Human Rights Act 1998.

 

Responsibilities

The governing body will monitor and review the working of the policy and procedures by allocation of duties to committees of the governing body

The head has responsibility for the equal opportunities policy and for delegating responsibilities and tasks to other staff, and for ensuring that the policy is known and understood by staff, students and parents.

The head must also present general reports, statistics and incident reports to the governing body and its committees as agreed.

The director of studies is responsible for ensuring equal opportunities in the curriculum.

All staff are responsible for following the policy and reporting incidents of unequal treatment to the appropriate senior member of staff.

Employment of staff

Appointments

-       Advertisements and job specifications will all carry a statement that this school is an Equal Opportunities employer, and welcomes applications from all posts from appropriately qualified persons regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion or belief, disability or age;

 

-       application forms for jobs will include a question about equal opportunities ‑ or interview questions will do so, for example, "how will the applicant contribute to the policy?";

 

-       people with disabilities will be offered facilities at interviews to enable them to demonstrate their suitability for employment;

 

-       candidates for vacant posts will be assessed against relevant criteria only, i.e. skills, qualifications and experience in selection for recruitment;

 

-       the school will make and keep information about the sex, ethnic background, disability and age of candidates for appointments, and actual appointments; and

 

-       inform the governing body’s Personnel Committee on a termly basis, or whenever the governors request the figures.

 

Staff development

-       All employees have equal chances of training, career development and promotion;

 

-       all recruits to the organisation will be offered induction training which will include a reference to the organisation's equal opportunities policy;

 

-       staff development opportunities will be monitored and figures presented to the governors annually, or more often if requested by the governing body. All staff, and in particular those concerned with selection and promotion, are given equality awareness training; and

 

-       people becoming disabled while in employment will be given positive help to retain their jobs or to be considered for redeployment if that is necessary.

 

Pupils

-       Pupils have equal access to the national curriculum programmes of study (unless disapplied) throughout each key stage, and non‑compulsory courses, according to aptitude and ability;

 

-       the school is committed to full educational inclusion (see SEN policy);

 

-       the director of studies will make and record figures on take-up of courses, which will be presented to the head annually, or more often if requested. The head will keep the governors informed.

 

-       annual analysis of attainment, behaviour and other student data will be undertaken by gender, ethnic background and ability;

 

-       all subjects will have equality of opportunity at their core and make explicit references within schemes of work;

 

-       school and faculty development plans will act to improve the learning of students according to this analysis;

 

-       school rules and the code of conduct for students clearly and explicitly forbid the verbalisation or vocalisation of discrimination on the grounds of race, culture, religious, gender, sexuality and ability/disability;

 

-       positive attitudes and awareness development for equality of opportunity is specifically taught through the PSE and tutor programme; and

 

-       all subjects will have equality of opportunity at their core and make explicit references within schemes of work.

 

Racist or homophobic bullying

-       All staff have a legal duty not to bully or otherwise harass other staff;

 

-       where staff come across incidents involving racist or homophobic bullying they must report these to the appropriate senior member of staff (see attached report forms);

 

-       the personnel sub committee of the governing body monitors at least once per term any incidents and actions taken, of racist of homophobic bullying; and

 

-       all incidents of racist or homophobic bullying amongst pupils will be taken seriously, and  must be dealt with appropriately and reported to the appropriate senior member of staff.

 

 Administration

-       Venues for meetings will take account of the needs of all participants; and

 

-       Venues for teaching and learning will take into account the particular needs of the learners and teacher/teaching assistant.

 

Documents

-       Language used in documents will reflect and promote equal opportunities and font style and size will take account of the full range of readers; and

 

-       access to documentation will include alternative formats such as tape, disk, large print and languages other than English, if spoken or read at home.

 

Reports to the police

-       Incidents that involve racist elements, which need to be reported to the police will be reported via the schools Police Liaison Officer.

 

Monitoring and review

-       This policy will be reviewed annually (or more often if necessary), and improved and developed as appropriate within the governors policy review schedule, (see also disability inclusion policy, racial equality promotion policy, sex equality policy, pay policy, performance management policy).

 

Date of next review: _________________________

 
Signed: __________________________                    Date: ________________