Co-op Academy New Islington Equality Statement & Objectives 2023/24

Introduction

At Co-op Academy New Islington, we are committed to promoting equality and preventing discrimination in both our employment and education provision. We will create an inclusive environment, where everyone can contribute their best work and develop to their full potential. We will celebrate the fact that everyone is different yet valued, and make sure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

You can read more about this below, including the actions we have already taken to advance equality, diversity & inclusion in our academy and our community, and to comply with our equality duty. We’ve also set out our equality objectives, which are the things we’re going to be focusing on this year.

Equality Statement

The Trust’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy sets out our Trust’s approach and this is followed here in our academy.  

We bring this Trust policy to life through our own ethos, policies and procedures.

Here at Co-op Academy New Islington, we are committed to creating an environment and ethos where our whole school community is able to thrive.

We can only thrive as a community when all people feel valued, respected and have a voice. It is essential that we promote equality throughout all that we do and say. This includes our curriculum provision, recruitment procedures, policies, colleague development opportunities and everyday communication.

Diversity and difference add value to our community and make our academy a richer place to be. We take an active role in recognising, promoting and celebrating these differences.

We value and respect individuals’ differences including, but not limited to:

● gender

● pregnancy and maternity

● ethnicity

● culture

● age

● disability

● sexual orientation

● gender identity

● religion or belief

● marital or civil partnership status

● education

● learning styles

● caring responsibilities

Action Taken

How do we demonstrate how the academy is complying with the public sector equality duty, and review our progress against equality objectives?

• Our curriculum includes many opportunities for our pupils to learn about equality, diversity and actively promotes tolerance, respect and understanding.
• We provide support and resources to enable all pupils to access the full curriculum, make progress and develop socially, emotionally and academically.
• Our Relationships and Behaviour Policy supports our pupils in developing the skills and attitudes they need to live and work alongside others harmoniously.
• Strong links with parents, carers and the local community supports inclusion and community cohesion.
• All pupils are encouraged to participate in all aspects of academy life and enjoy socialising and experiencing new opportunities.
• All staff are valued and are supported in their professional and personal development.
• Everyone within the academy and all those associated with it are treated with respect and dignity.
• Staff, pupils and parents have an active voice within the academy and their views and ideas shape what we do and how we do it.

Equality Objectives

We review our progress against equality objectives through a variety of strategies, including;

• Monitoring attendance and participation to ensure that all pupils are accessing their education.
• Talking to our parents and using surveys such as YourVoice to find out what they think about things that matter to them in our academy and how they feel they could become more involved.

Actions Taken - 2022/23

During the last year we have taken the following actions to advance equality, diversity & inclusion, and to comply with our equality duty:

Pupils / Students

• Developed a curriculum that reflects the pupil population
• Embedded our Restorative Approach to behaviour management
• Ensure that PHSE lesson address issues as soon as they arise, through the use of Circles as an effective teaching tool
• Appoint Rights Respecting Schools Ambassadors

Colleagues

• Ensure staff meetings begin with a meaningful ‘check-in’ so we understand each other better
• Ensure recruitment is fair and balanced
• Promote a real understanding of protected characteristics via our weekly Briefings

Our Community

• Listen to thoughts and views via Termly Parent Forum sessions
• SLT are available in person on a daily basis

Equality Objectives - 2023/24

Objective 1: to embed equality, diversity and inclusion into the curriculum and teaching & learning practices

We will work towards a curriculum and teaching & learning practices which:

• are inclusive - all pupils and staff are welcomed and valued
• show respect for and appreciation of one another as individuals
• prepare pupils for life in a diverse society by encouraging respect for linguistic, cultural and religious diversity that exists in local communities and the wider world
• develop personal and cultural identity in all pupils
• widen educational and personal horizons of all pupils if limited by factors that compromise equality
• are proactive in tackling discrimination
• promote benefits of diversity

We will work with our sponsor, the Co-op, to develop a new curriculum on anti-racism so that the next generation knows what it means to be anti-racist.

Objective 2: to embed equality, diversity and inclusion into the academy

We will monitor and analyse pupil achievement and progress by ethnicity, gender and disability, and act on any trends or patterns in this data which identify the need for additional support for pupils with the aim of narrowing the gap for equality groups.

We will create and promote opportunities for staff voice, and debate & dialogue, around these key issues.

Further information

Co-op Academies Trust’s Equality Diversity & Inclusion Policy can be found here https://www.coopacademies.co.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/ 

Review date: 01 September 2024