Public Sector Equality Duty 2011

The Equality Act 2010 has brought together, under one Act, all of the requirements regarding  equality and discrimination. Public Sector Equality Duty came into force in April 2011. Fairfield Community Primary School embraces this duty and takes steps not just to eliminate unlawful  discrimination and harassment, but also to actively promote equality. 

There are nine protected characteristics to which Fairfield Community Primary School has regard:

Age (for employees) 
Disability 
Race (includes ethnic or national origins, colour or nationality) 
Gender (includes issues of transgender) 
Gender reassignment 
Pregnancy and maternity 
Religion and belief (includes lack of belief) 
Sexual identity 
Marriage and civil partnership (for employees)

Fairfield works against unlawful discrimination and harassment and actively promotes equality. The aims of the duty include:

1. Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by the Act 
2. Advance equality of opportunity 
3. Foster good relations

The Education Reform Act entitles all pupils in school to a National Curriculum, which is broad and balanced.  The National Curriculum includes cross-curricular dimensions such as equal  opportunities for boys and girls, multicultural education and special educational needs.  Wherever possible, the curriculum will develop children’s knowledge and understanding of different beliefs,  cultures and needs. 

We aim to foster atmosphere of trust and respect amongst pupils as well as between staff, parents and children. 

We will introduce and communicate our Equality Policy to parents through the  school website, prospectus, new parent information packs and parent’s evenings.  It is the right of every child irrespective of race, culture, class, gender, special needs or ability to achieve their full potential. Each child should have access to an  education, which will enable him/her to utilise their talents to the full and achieve their potential. We must develop children to become sensitive to and aware of ways in which  equality is denied and how this might affect them in society.

It is the responsibility of all staff to foster and facilitate this ethos by creating a  welcoming environment for all children. We will endeavour to establish an atmosphere within  school which effectively reduces prejudice and raises self-esteem, so that all children can develop independence, freedom of choice and a knowledge of their right to take on whatever roles they choose, no matter what their cultural background, gender or ability.

As  a staff we have to remember that we are role models. We must challenge the concept of discrimination based upon differences.