This information sets out our school’s approach to promoting equality, as defined within the Equality Act (2010) which covers sex, race, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pupils and staff members who are pregnant and those undergoing gender reassignment.

Public Sector Equality Duty

The Equality Act 2010 requires schools to publish information that demonstrates that we have due regard for the need to:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010
• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
• Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.  

St Wilfrid's is an inclusive school committed to ensuring equality of provision throughout the school community. We focus on the well-being and progress of every child within an environment where all members of our community are of equal worth.

We believe that the Equality Act provides a framework to support our commitment to valuing diversity, tackling discrimination, promoting equality and fostering good relationships between people. It also ensures that we continue to tackle issues of disadvantage and underachievement of different groups.

Equality – Aims and Values

St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School aims to provide equality and excellence for all and promote the highest possible standards of achievement, enjoyment and fulfilment. These aims are promoted through our school Values.

We aim to prepare them for life in a diverse society where they are able to be involved in and celebrate all aspects of that society and are welcomed as part of it.

Our Approach to Promoting Equality

1. All learners are of equal value

2. Differences are recognised and respected

3. Positive attitudes and relationships are fostered to create a shared sense of cohesion and belonging.

4. Good equality practices are maintained in staff recruitment, retention and development.

5. Reduction and removal of inequalities and barriers that already exist are paramount.

6. High expectations of all children are maintained.

In order to ensure that all pupils are protected from discrimination, the school collects information on protected characteristics (see policy) as well as the following groups of pupils:

• Pupils eligible for Free School Meals (FSM)
• Pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
• Disadvantaged group
• Pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL)
• Young carers
• Looked after children

Our objectives detail how we ensure equality is applied to:

• Improving attainment and progress for all children.
• Improving attainment and progress for children who encounter disadvantage.
• Providing an environment where discrimination of any form is addressed and eliminated.
• Advancing equality of opportunity through role models, high quality curriculum, quality CPD for staff.
• Fostering good relations with parents and carers, children, governors and the community.
• Reducing behaviour that is discriminatory or oppressive in any way

Through rigorous tracking and monitoring of individuals and of all the groups of children, including progress and attainment, and by providing equal opportunities to access the curriculum and activities, we aim to ensure that any gap in attainment for pupils within any of the above different groups is removed, or at least remains less than the gap nationally.

A Cohesive Community

We will ensure that our pupils are part of their local community, using local resources and being known and accepted within that community. We also aim to include our various local communities in the life of the school (e.g. businesses, faith groups, ethnic or language groups, voluntary groups, wider family and friends).

In order to help achieve a cohesive community our school aims to:

• Promote understanding and engagement between communities
• Encourage all children and families to feel part of the wider community
• Tackle discrimination
• Increase life opportunities for all
• Ensure that learning, teaching and the curriculum explores and addresses issues of diversity
• Ensure that the school is an inclusive environment for all

Roles and Responsibilities

Local Governing Board are responsible for:

• Making sure that the school complies with current equality legislation
• Making sure that this policy and its procedures are followed

The Headteacher is responsible for:

• Making sure that the policy is readily available and that the governors, staff and parents and carers know about it
• Making sure that its procedures are followed
• Producing regular information for staff and governors about the policy and how it is working
• Providing training for them on the policy if necessary
• Making sure that all staff know their responsibilities and receive training and support in carrying these out
• Taking appropriate action in cases of harassment and discrimination

All school staff members are responsible for:

• Modelling good practice, dealing with discriminatory incidents and being able to recognise and tackle bias and stereotyping
• Passing any concerns to the Headteacher, Leadership team or Governing Body as per the Whistleblowing Policy
• Promoting equality and avoiding discrimination against anyone
• Keeping up to date with the law on discrimination and taking training and learning opportunities

Pupils are responsible for:

• Learning to treat other community members kindly and respectfully

Parents and carers are responsible for:

• Supporting the school in the implementation of this policy

Visitors and Contractors are responsible for:

• Behaving appropriately in our school in support of the promotion of Equality

Responsibility for overseeing equality practices in the school lies with the Headteacher and the member of the Governing Board linked to equality. These responsibilities include:

• Coordinating and monitoring work on equality issues
• Dealing with and monitoring reports of harassment (including racist and homophobic incidents)
• Monitoring exclusions

Monitoring, Reviewing and Assessing Impact

The Equality policy on the website will be regularly monitored and updated by the Headteacher as necessary and information about the school's compliance with the Equality Duty will be included in the summer report to the Children and Learning Committee. 

St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School - Equality Objectives 2022 – 2026
• To narrow any gaps in attainment and progress that have arisen between groups of pupils; particularly between dis-advantaged and non-disadvantaged children of all ages; between the achievement of boys and girls, especially in mathematics and writing and for those with prior high attainment to ensure they reach at least their expected potential.
• To ensure effective strategies are in place to narrow the gender attainment gap for children on entry to Early Years, investing particularly in speech and language screening and interventions to provide the best possible chances for a successful education.
• To ensure that no adult or child is discriminated against regardless of their characteristics, both in school and when they have contact with our wider school community.
• To promote spiritual, moral, social, vocational and cultural development through all appropriate curricular opportunities, with particular reference to issues of tolerance, equality and diversity; thus preparing our children for life in an ever changing society.