Our Equality and Diversity Champions

Priestsic are very proud to introduce to you our new Equality and Diversity Champions! These children will be promoting and more importantly celebrating the diversity within our school. It is a very exciting opportunity and one we are all very excited about! Their first responsibility will be to speak to teachers about finding out about the different links their pupils have with different countries and plotting them onto a class world map. We will  also be finding out about how our children from different countries or have links with other countries celebrate Christmas. Watch this space for our first newsletter which will include Christmas recipes from our children who have links to other countries.

Inclusion through PE at Priestsic 

This half term, some KS2 year groups have had the opportunity to learn and participate in the world of inclusion sports. Taught by Mrs. Eyre, the children learnt a variety of sports, such as: table cricket, boccia and goalball. The children's first lessons consisted of learning the importance of inclusion, both in and out of sport, and where and how these specialised sports are played. Then they were able to get stuck in, embracing these lessons with compassion, willing and respect. 

Equality Statement and Objectives

Equalities Statement

At Priestsic Primary and Nursery School we are committed to:

• promoting equality of opportunity
• eliminating discrimination and harassment
• valuing diversity and promoting positive relationships
• providing an inclusive education which enables all pupils to develop their full potential
• meeting the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

The Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 replaces previous anti-discrimination legislation with a single Act. The Equality Duty is set out in section 149 of the Act. It replaces the three previous public sector equality duties – for race, disability and gender – and covers the following protected characteristics:

• Disability
• Race and ethnicity
• Gender
• Gender identity 
• Marriage and civil partnership (but only in respect of eliminating unlawful discrimination)
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Religion and belief
• Sexual identity

We ensure that we have due regard to the need to:

• eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by the Act
• advance equality of opportunity between people who share a characteristic and those who don’t
• foster good relations between people who share a characteristic and those who don’t.

The Governing Body will ensure, that in the cycle of policy reviews, that policies and practices are scrutinised to identify the effects they have on individuals or groups of people in relation to equality.

Our school aims to be an inclusive school. We actively seek to include all our children in our school community. This means that equality of opportunity must be a reality for our children and we make this a reality through the attention we pay to the different groups of children within our school with consideration of the  following protected characteristics:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership (but only in respect of eliminating unlawful discrimination)
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

Values and Beliefs

We are an inclusive school where pupils, parents, staff, governors, the local authority and local services work in partnership to meet the needs of the community. We celebrate the positive contribution made by different social, ethnic and linguistic groups.

Our key value at Priestsic Primary is RESPECT - respect for our friends, our family, our teachers, but most importantly respecting ourselves by living our school values each day.

Our core values are: 

Respect, Kindness, Independence, Responsibility, Resilience and Self-belief 

Staff and governors demonstrate our values and commitment to equality by:-

• ensuring acceptable behaviour,
• responding to incidents and complaints in a proactive way,
• providing access to services, facilities and information,
• recruiting and employing people fairly,
• meeting specific needs.

The Equalities policy outlines the commitment of the staff, pupils and governors of Priestsic Primary School to ensure that equality of opportunity is available to all members of the school community. For our school this means not simply treating everybody the same but understanding and tackling the different barriers which could lead to unequal outcomes for different groups of pupils in school, whilst celebrating and valuing the achievements and strengths of all members of the school community. These include:

• Pupils

• Staff

• Parents/carers

• The governing body

• Multi-agency staff linked to the school

• Visitors to school

• Students on placement

We believe that equality at our school should permeate all aspects of school life and is the responsibility of every member of the school and wider community. Every member of the school community should feel safe, secure, valued and of equal worth.

At Priestsic Primary School, equality is a key principle for treating all people fairly and creating a society in which everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential - irrespective of their sex, race, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age, gender re-assignment or any other recognised area of discrimination including pregnancy and maternity.

School in Context

The school is made up of an equal balance of boys and girls though this differs slightly in each cohort of children. There are a small number of children from different ethnic heritage with the vast majority of pupils from white English speaking backgrounds so every effort is made to ensure an inclusive family atmosphere prevails. 

Ethos and Atmosphere

At Priestsic Primary School, the leadership of the school community demonstrates mutual respect between all members of the school community

• There is an openness of atmosphere which welcomes everyone to the school
• All within the school community are prepared to challenge any type of discriminatory and/or bullying behaviour, eg through unwanted attentions (verbal or physical) and unwelcome or offensive remarks or suggestions
• All pupils are encouraged to greet visitors to the school with friendliness and respect
• Provision is made to cater for the spiritual needs of all the children through planning of assemblies, classroom based and externally based activities

Monitoring and Review

Priestsic Primary School is an inclusive school, working towards greater equality in the whole school community. We use the curriculum and teaching to enhance the self-esteem of all those it serves and to provide a learning environment in which each individual is encouraged to fulfil her or his potential.

We collect and analyse a range of equality information for our pupils/students:

We make regular assessments of pupils’ learning and use this information to track pupils’ progress, as they move through the school. As part of this process, we regularly monitor the performance of different groups, to ensure that all groups of pupils are making the best possible progress. We use this information to adjust future teaching and learning plans, as necessary.

Resources are available to support groups of pupils where the information suggests that progress is not as good as it should be. The governing body receives regular updates on pupil performance information.

School performance information is compared to national data and local authority data, to ensure that pupils are making appropriate progress when compared to all schools, and to schools in similar circumstances.

As well as monitoring pupil performance information, we also regularly monitor a range of other information. This relates to:

• Attendance
• Exclusions and truancy
• Racism, sexism, homophobia and all forms of bullying
• Parental involvement
• Participation in After School Activities and Learning Activities

Our monitoring activities enable us to identify any differences in pupil performance and provide specific support as required, including pastoral support. This allows us to take appropriate action to meet the needs of specific groups in order to make necessary improvements.

Priestsic Primary School is also committed to providing a working environment free from discrimination, bullying, harassment and victimisation. We aim to recruit an appropriately qualified workforce and establish a governing body that is representative of all sections of the community in order to respect and respond to the diverse needs of our population.

Developing Best Practice

Learning and Teaching

We aim to provide all our pupils with the opportunity to succeed, and to reach the highest level of personal achievement. To do this, teaching and learning will:

• Provide equality of access for all pupils and prepare them for life in a diverse society
• Use materials that reflect a range of cultural backgrounds, without stereotyping
• Use materials to promote a positive image of and attitude towards disability and disabled people
• Promote attitudes and values that will challenge discriminatory behaviour
• Provide opportunities for pupils to appreciate their own culture and religions and celebrate the diversity of other cultures
• Use a range of sensitive teaching strategies when teaching about different cultural and religious traditions
• Develop pupils advocacy skills so that they can detect bias, challenge discrimination, leading to justice and equality
• Ensure that the whole curriculum covers issues of equality and diversity;
• All subject leaders' departments, where appropriate, promote and celebrate the contribution of different cultures to the subject matter
• Seek to involve all parents in supporting their child’s education
• Provide educational visits and extended learning opportunities that involve all pupil groups
• Take account of the performance of all pupils when planning for future learning and setting challenging targets
• Make best use of all available resources to support the learning of all groups of pupils
• Identify resources and training that support staff development

Learning Environment

There is a consistently high expectation of all pupils regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or any other recognised area of discrimination. All pupils are encouraged to improve on their own achievements and not to measure themselves against others. Parents are also encouraged to view their own children’s achievements in this light.

• Teacher enthusiasm is a vital factor in achieving a high level of motivation and good results from all pupils
• Adults in the school will provide good, positive role models in their approach to all issues relating to equality of opportunity
• The school places a very high priority on the provision for special educational needs and disability. We will meet all pupils’ learning needs including the more able by carefully assessed and administered programmes of work
• The school provides an environment in which all pupils have equal access to all facilities and resources
• All pupils are encouraged to be actively involved in their own learning
• A range of teaching methods are to be used throughout the school to ensure that effective learning takes place at all stages for all pupils
• Consideration will be given to the physical learning environment – both internal and external, including displays and signage when appropriate

Curriculum

At Priestsic Primary School, we aim to ensure that:

• Planning reflects our commitment to equality in all subject areas and cross curricular themes promoting positive attitudes to equality and diversity
• Pupils will have opportunities to explore concepts and issues relating to identity and equality
• Steps are taken to ensure that all pupils have access to the mainstream curriculum by taking into account their cultural, backgrounds, linguistic needs and learning styles

Resources and Materials

The provision of good quality resources and materials within Priestsic Primary School is a high priority. These resources should:

• Reflect the reality of an ethnically, culturally and sexually diverse society
• Reflect a variety of viewpoints
• Show positive images of males and females in society
• Include non-stereotypical images of all groups in a global context
• Be accessible to all members of the school community

Language

We recognise that it is important at Priestsic Primary School that all members of the school community use appropriate language which:

• Does not transmit or confirm stereotypes
• Does not offend
• Creates and enhances positive images of particular groups identified at the beginning of this document
• Creates the conditions for all people to develop their self esteem
• Uses accurate language in referring to particular groups or individuals and challenges in instances where this is not the case