Public bodies including schools and settings have a general duty to have due regard when making decisions and developing policies, to:

• Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct that is 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 across all protected characteristics – between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

Specific duty

To help schools and maintained EYFS settings in England meet the general equality duty, there are two specific duties that they are required to carry out. These are:

• To publish information to demonstrate how they are complying with the equality duty.
• To prepare and publish one or more specific and measurable equality objectives.

At Sissinghurst, our ethos vision and values, ensure that every pupil and teacher is given an equal opportunity to achieve their limitless potential. In addition, each individual is entitled to learn, teach or work in a supportive environment and to benefit from the diversity of our school community.

To meet these aims, we are committed to:

• Equal access and treatment for everyone
• Being responsive to changing needs
• Educating and informing children, staff and parents about the issues in this policy
• Avoiding prejudice
• Promoting mutual respect, regardless of differences
• Working to an agreed code of conduct which can be modified, monitored and evaluated in accordance with current best practice in the area of equal opportunities

Objectives

• To promote a positive self-image in all children and to respect their individuality, providing for all pupils according to their needs
• To ensure equality of opportunity permeates the whole curriculum and ethos of the school
• In delivering the curriculum, ensure it contains non-stereotypical images in order to overcome preconceived ideas of gender, ethnic origin, culture or religion
• To include in resources: books, materials and equipment that are multicultural and non-sexist, providing positive images of all groups
•  Ensure that the organisation of the school is sensitive to the needs of all
• To acknowledge the richness and diversity of British society and to help prepare children for their part in that society
• To develop a positive attitude to equal opportunity by all staff, parents, helpers, governors, children and all who participate in the school.

Further information can be found in our Inclusion, SEN and Policy sections.