Equality & Diversity

The Blue Sky Federation - Heelands and Summerfield School

 

1. Statement of Intent

The Blue Sky Federation is committed to providing an inclusive, safe and respectful environment where equality, diversity and mutual respect are actively promoted. We aim to ensure that no child, member of staff, parent or visitor is discriminated against and that everyone is treated with dignity and fairness.

This policy supports our safeguarding duty and underpins our commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of all children.

 
2. Legal Framework

This information is based on the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), which requires schools to:

  • Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
  • Advance equality of opportunity
  • Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not
     

3. Protected Characteristics

The school recognises the following protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage and civil partnership
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Race
  • Religion or belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation

 
4. Our Approach to Equality and Diversity

The Blue Sky Federation is an inclusive federation of schools where:

  • All learners are of equal value
  • Difference is recognised, respected and celebrated
  • High expectations are held for all children
  • Barriers to learning and participation are identified and removed
  • Equality and diversity are embedded in our curriculum, ethos and values
     

5. Eliminating Discrimination, Harassment and Victimisation

We actively work to eliminate discrimination by:

  • Maintaining a safe environment where all children feel valued
  • Addressing and recording all prejudicial and racist incidents
  • Tackling bullying, including prejudice-based bullying, in line with safeguarding procedures
  • Monitoring the curriculum to ensure it promotes diversity and challenges stereotypes
  • Ensuring equal access to learning, enrichment and extra-curricular activities
  • Any equality-related concern involving a child is treated as a safeguarding matter and responded to in line with the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

 
6. Advancing Equality of Opportunity

We advance equality of opportunity by:

  • Collecting and analysing data relating to protected characteristics and vulnerable groups
  • Monitoring progress and attainment to identify underachievement
  • Planning targeted support and intervention where needed
  • Actively listening to children, parents and carers
     

7. Fostering Good Relations

We foster good relations by:

  • Promoting respect and understanding through the curriculum
  • Encouraging positive relationships across the school community
  • Engaging with parents, carers and the wider community
     

8. Roles and Responsibilities

Governing Body/Trust: Ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010
Executive Headteacher and Associate Headteacher: Overall responsibility for implementation
Staff: Promote equality and challenge discrimination
Children: Expected to uphold the school’s values of respect and inclusion
 

9. Equality Objectives

Our current equality objectives are:

  • To monitor and analyse pupil achievement by race, gender and disability and act on identified trends
  • To raise attainment in core subjects for vulnerable learners
  • To improve parental and pupil engagement to ensure equitable access to school life

Respect