Equality Objectives

EQUALITY OBJECTIVES

We recognise that the public sector equality duty has three aims and they are to:

  • Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct under the Act.
  • Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
  • Foster good relations between people who have a shared characteristic and those who do not.

Martin High School will annually review how well we achieve these aims with regard to the protected groups under the Equality Act (2010) (race, disability, gender, gender re-assignment, age, pregnancy and maternity, marital status, religion and belief and sexual orientation).

We aim to provide the highest possible education for all of our learners.  The ethos of our school clearly reflects our commitment to fully including and respecting all members of our school community.

We have set ourselves the following objectives for 2021-2022:

  • To ensure that staff and governors are aware of current legislation surrounding equality and diversity and understand the school’s responsibility.
  • To promote cultural understanding, awareness and tolerance of different religious beliefs between different ethnic groups within our school and wider community.
  • To promote a whole school approach mental health awareness and develop appropriate interventions where necessary
  • Actively close gaps in attainment and achievement between students for all groups of students; especially students eligible for Pupil Premium, students with special educational needs and disabilities, looked after children and students from minority ethnic groups.
  • Continue to improve accessibility across the school site for students, staff and visitors with disabilities.
  • Monitor the incidences of the use of homophobic, sexist and racist language by students in our school. If such incidences arise, educate young people through our curriculum and support so that they understand and respect other people’s views and beliefs.
  • To continuously review and revise the curriculum so that it represents a diverse culture and society and encourages tolerance and respect.


Martin High School Equality Objectives

Martin High School is committed to promoting equality and diversity, providing an inclusive, caring and supportive environment, which is committed to the promotion of genuine equal opportunities for all. We recognise that every member of the school is regarded as of equal worth and importance, irrespective of their faith, culture, class, race, gender, sexuality and/or disability. The Equal Opportunities, Equality and Diversity statement builds on the core values of the school:

  • Resilience
  • Reciprocity
  • Reflectiveness
  • Resourcefulness


Equality Objectives 2021-22

Objective

Action

Date

Staff & governors more fully understand the Equality Duty and the college’s responsibility

Staff training day including guest speakers, student speakers, group discussions, department pledges

January 22

Governor meeting

March 22

Increased understanding of the need for positive affirmation of LGBTQ+ staff and students

Staff training day

Governor meeting

January 22

March 22

Celebrating diversity events together through the UNITED programme

World Mental Health Day

Black History Month (student led)

International Human Rights Day

LGBTQ+ History Month

International Women’s Day

Autism Awareness Month

Eid

Pride Month

October21

October 21

December 21

February 22

March 22

April

May

June 22

Staff and students use appropriate pronouns to support wellbeing

Staff training day

Staff bulletin info– provided by students

Trust Diversity newsletter

UNITED LGBTQ+ History month session

January 22

December 21

December 21

February 2022

PSHE including gatherings, Tutor Time, UNITED

Consistent use of behaviour policy to educate / sanction

Ongoing

Reducing sexist and LGBTQ+-phobic language & encouraging students to be upstanding

PSHE including gatherings, Tutor Time, UNITED, posters

Consistent use of behaviour policy to educate / sanction

Ongoing

Diverse cultures are valued and understood

Global learning supports student understanding of the complex backgrounds of refugees, Ukraine, Afghanistan

Varied UNITED programme

Ongoing

 

Ongoing

Closing the academic gaps for SEND, Pupil Premium, Looked After Children and other vulnerable groups

Wide range of actions – see Development Plan

Ongoing

Increasing the understanding of mental health

PSHE including gatherings, Tutor Time, UNITED, wellbeing weeks, T&L briefings, wellbeing as standing item on line manager meetings

Ongoing

Curriculum celebrates diversity and supports an understanding of equality issues

Trust and college work to review

UNITED has been moved into curriculum time

Ongoing

Ongoing

Raised awareness and understanding for staff of barriers for colleagues who come from ethnic minority, LGBTQ+, disability or working class backgrounds - and the gifts which these characteristics bring to our school community

Diversity Research Group, sharing learning

Diversity newsletter

Staff training day

Ongoing

 

Termly

January 22

Staff with protected characteristics are supported to identify barriers to progression and enabled to overcome these

Performance management focus on barriers (practical and perceived) to progression

October 21 and ongoing


Equality Objectives outcomes 2020-21

Objective

Action

Date

Increased awareness of mental health

High priority within PSHE as students manage covid restrictions

Students are more supportive and understanding of those with mental health and manage their own mental health concerns more effectively

Students are more understanding of diversity and value difference

Year 11 diversity week including talks by Shaun Dellenty & Jeffrey Boakye

PSHE including gatherings, Tutor Time

Increased understanding of selves and each other

LGBTQ+ diversity is celebrated

Installation of new corridor display

Explicit affirmation of LGBTQ+ characteristics supports student wellbeing

Celebrating diversity events together through our UNITED programme

World Mental Health Day

Black History Month

International Human Rights Day

LGBTQ+ History Month

Eid

Pride Month

Students’ understanding, compassion & affirmation increased

Students’ understanding of the complex background of global events is enhanced

Gatherings, Tutor Time and UNITED sessions relating to Palestine following the attack on Al Aqsa Mosque

Staff and students have an increased understanding of the global situation, and the anxieties of their peers in relation to this.

School is visually represented as a community which includes and values diversity at all levels

Increased use of diverse visuals on school websites, in recruitment materials, in school displays

Staff and students increasingly see themselves as included and valued. Staff are increasingly recognising the opportunity for progression to all levels in the organisation.


For further information, please see the:
Equalities Act 2010
Public Sector Equality Duty