Discrimination means treating you unfairly because of who you are. The Equality Act 2010 protects you from discrimination by:

• employers
• businesses and organisations which provide goods or services like banks, shops and utility companies
• health and care providers like hospitals and care homes
• someone you rent or buy a property from like housing associations and estate agents
• schools, colleges and other education providers
• transport services like buses, trains and taxis
• public bodies like government departments and local authorities.

There are nine protected characteristics in the Equality Act. Discrimination which happens because of one or more of these characteristics is unlawful under the Act. We all have some of these characteristics - for example, sex or age - so the Act protects everyone from discrimination.

If you’re treated unfairly because someone thinks you belong to a group of people with protected characteristics, this is also unlawful discrimination.

What are the protected characteristics?

The characteristics that are protected by the Equality Act 2010 are:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage or civil partnership (in employment only)
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation 

The school wholly believes that racism, intolerance and discrimination of any kind are wrong and it will not tolerate racist or discriminatory attitudes among its staff, pupils or those who visit the school. Staff, when they encounter it or when it is brought to their attention, will always challenge racist or intolerant attitudes and behaviour. The school will not tolerate racist, sexist or any other discriminatory taunting or bullying. The school aims to ensure that it is wholly accessible in curricular, premises and communication terms to all the people who may be served by it. To this end we will focus on all access strategies which will aim to overcome the barriers to learning or participation experienced by disabled people served by or serving the school. The school is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all, regardless of gender, age, race, belief, sexual orientation or disability. The school is committed to delivering effective Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) as we believe it is essential in order for young people to be able to make responsible and well informed decisions about their lives. The school believes that by learning about religions and cultures of the world it helps pupils to understand their own world and their place in it. By learning about how others live their lives, pupils show greater empathy and tolerance towards others. No member of staff, prospective member of staff, or pupil will receive unfair or unlawful treatment due to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status or religious or political beliefs. The school also makes a substantial effort to promote equality of opportunity for all and encouraging good relationships with all cultural and racial groups.

Relevant Policies

• Admissions

• Attendance

• Behaviour 

• Disciplinary Procedure

• Curriculum

• Safeguarding (Child Protection)

• Anti-bullying

• Single Equality Policy

• SEND Policy

• Pay policy

• Appraisal policy