Equality and Diversity Policy

Including Equality and Diversity Statement of Intent

Approving Body: AGC

Ratified by the AGC1: October 2023

Next review: October 2024

1.  CONTEXT

The legal framework for this policy is:

Race Relations Act 1976 (as amended in 2000)

Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended in 2005)

Children Act 2004

Equality Act 2006

Education and Inspections Act 2006

Duty to Promote Community Cohesion, Education and Inspections Act 2006

Equality Act 2010

2. STATEMENT OF INTENT

Co-op Academy New Islington is committed to creating an inclusive environment, where people are treated with dignity and respect and where we anticipate and respond positively to different needs and circumstances so that everyone can achieve their potential.

We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity, not only because it is an important part of the mission, vision and values of the Academy, but also because by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners, we will ensure the Academy’s future success.

We believe that everyone has the right to be treated fairly and without discrimination, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, circumstances or background.

We will consult and involve the school community in our decision making.

3. AIMS AND VALUES

Co-op Academy New Islington is a welcoming school where everyone is valued highly and where tolerance, honesty, Co-operation and mutual respect for others are fostered. We are committed to the development of the whole person within a supportive, secure and creative environment. A broad, balanced and appropriate curriculum provides equal opportunity for all pupils to maximise their potential regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability or sexual orientation. We endeavour to promote positive relationships with parents, governors and members of the wider community.

At Co-op Academy New Islington we aim to promote equality and tackle any form of discrimination and actively promote harmonious relations in all areas of school life.  We seek to remove any barriers to access, participation, progression, attainment and achievement.  We take seriously our contribution towards community cohesion.

We aim to:

• provide a secure environment in which all our children can flourish and achieve all five outcomes of Every Child Matters (be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution, and enjoy economic well-being);
• provide a learning environment where all individuals see themselves reflected and feel a sense of belonging;
• prepare children for life in a diverse society in which children are able to see their place in the local, regional, national and international community.
• include and value the contribution of all families to our understanding of equality and diversity;
• provide positive non-stereotyping information about different groups of people regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability or sexual orientation.
• plan systematically to improve our understanding and promotion of diversity;
• actively challenge discrimination and disadvantage;
• make inclusion a thread which runs through all our activities.

To achieve these aims we will:

• involve stakeholders in the development, review, evaluation, and impact assessment of all relevant improvement plans, policies and procedures;
• publish and share our policies and impact assessments with the whole community;
• collect and analyse data to ensure all groups are progressing well and no group is subject to disadvantage;
• use all available information to set suitable learning challenges for all, respond to pupils’ diverse needs and overcome any potential barriers to learning;
• ensure that the wider school curriculum makes explicit and implicit provision to promote and celebrate diversity;
• have high expectations of behaviour which demonstrates respect to others;

4. LEADERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE

Co-op Academy New Islington is committed to:

• being proactive in promoting good relationships and equality of opportunity across all aspects of school life and the wider community;
• encouraging, supporting and enabling all pupils and staff to reach their potential and make a positive contribution;
• working in partnership with families and the wider community to establish, promote and disseminate inclusive practice and tackle discrimination ensuring that our Equality and Diversity Policy is followed.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES

The Governing Body

It is the Governing Body’s responsibility to:

• ensure that the school complies with equality legislation;
• meet requirements to publish equality schemes;
• ensure that the school’s policy and its procedures and strategies are carried out and monitored with appropriate impact assessments informing future plans;
• scrutinize the recording and reporting procedures at least annually;
• follow the agreed admissions policy, which is fair and equitable in its treatment of all groups;
• monitor attendance and take appropriate action where necessary;
• have equal opportunities in staff recruitment and professional development and membership of the Governing Body;
• provide information in appropriate, accessible formats;
• be involved in dealing with serious breaches of the policy.

The Head Teacher

It is the Head Teacher’s responsibility to:

• implement the policy and its strategies and procedures;
• ensure that all staff receive appropriate and relevant continuous professional development;
• actively challenge and take appropriate action in any cases of discriminatory practice;
• deal with any reported incidents of harassment or bullying in line with Governing Body guidance;
• ensure that all visitors and contractors are aware of, and comply with, the school’s equality and diversity policy;
• produce a report on progress for governors annually.

All Staff

It is the responsibility of all staff to:

• be vigilant in all areas of the school for any type of harassment and bullying;
• deal effectively with all incidents from overt name-calling to the more subtle forms of victimisation caused by perceived differences;
• identify and challenge bias and stereotyping within the curriculum and in the school’s culture;
• promote equality and good relations and not discriminate on grounds of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability or sexual orientation;
• promote an inclusive curriculum and whole school ethos which reflects our diverse society;
• keep up to date with equality legislation, development and issues by attending relevant training and accessing information from appropriate sources.

6. BREACHES OF THE POLICY

All breaches of the policy will be rigorously followed up using the appropriate procedures and reported to the Governing Body as required.

7. POLICY PLANNING AND REVIEW

Whilst we have a duty to develop and publish equality schemes in relation to both gender and disability, we at Co-op Academy New Islington are considering all aspects of diversity and equality in this comprehensive policy to be followed by a specific equality and diversity action plan in relation to access, gender and race equality covering a three-year period.  These improvement activities may appear as clear strands within one over-arching improvement plan or discrete plans.)

Policy planning and development

• In the planning and development stage of policy-making, we will ensure we have consulted and taken into account stakeholder views.

• All improvement plans will be designed with an element of impact assessment built in to monitor the success of each activity.

• There will be a systematic review of the impact of all policies and procedures on equality and diversity to address any areas of inequality.  (Schools to detail some whole school systems.  E.g. achievement and attainment will be analysed to ensure progress for all, especially in relation to any identified disadvantaged groups; attendance and exclusion data will be reviewed to ensure no over-representation of any one group.)

• Our target-setting processes ensure appropriate, challenging targets are set in relation to identifiable groups as well as individual pupils / cohorts.

Monitoring and Quality Assurance

• Each pupil’s progress is monitored and tracked. The resulting data is analysed in respect of gender, race, ability or additional needs, looked-after status.

• In addition to monitoring to rule out any potential disadvantage, quality assurance procedures ensure the school meets its duty to positively promote diversity.  (E.g. lesson observations record evidence of differentiation and texts are reviewed to ensure appropriateness and inclusivity.)

• The data collected is used to inform further school planning, target-setting and decision-making.