Equality Information
The Equality Act of 2010 was introduced to ensure individuals are protected from discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the grounds of specific characteristics (referred to as protected characteristics).
For schools, this means that it is unlawful to discriminate against students, or staff members, or treat them less favourably because of their gender; race; disability; religion or belief; gender reassignment; sexual orientation; pregnancy or maternity.
Under the Act, Birchwood High School is expected to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty to:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
- Advance equality of opportunity between different groups
- Foster good relations between different groups
- As a public organisation, we are required to:
- Publish information to show compliance with the Equality Duty. This is done via our Equality Policy, which can be found on the Policies page of our website.
- Publish Equality Objectives which are specific and measurable
Our Equality Objectives 24-25
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Attainment data To review attainment data processes to ensure consistent analysis and reporting for key groups throughout the school by prior attainment, potential and (where appropriate) protected characteristics and socio-economic background. The data analysis will facilitate both the timely identification of gaps and relevant intersections and will inform further detailed work to further understand underlying causes and identify appropriate actions and interventions that will be developed into targeted plans. This work will be alongside and complement our Pupil Premium Strategy as we begin a new three year strategy period.
2. Reporting, recording and responding to discriminatory incidents To ensure that clear and consistent systems will operate for the recording, reporting and analysis of discriminatory incidents across the school community. We recognise that such incidents can and do happen and we will ensure that incidents are not minimised or shied away from and that all staff understand the importance of recording incidents. Trends in data will be regularly reviewed and acted upon. We will ensure through appropriate training, assemblies and the PSCHE programme that the impact of discrimination and microaggressions is understood by all the school community and will set out clear and supported guidelines on how staff should respond to them if they arise.
3. Personal Development To quality assure and evaluate both the formal and informal aspects of the school’s personal development work in the area of equalities. In addition we will explore ways of measuring the impact of our work on equality across the school and identify areas for improvement.
4. Leadership and Governance To ensure that there are clear and documented processes to ensure that all policies and key processes and decisions are regularly reviewed from an equalities perspective. For leaders to undertake training to increase their equalities awareness, including how this relates to recruitment and progression.
