Equality

Equality Information and Objectives

Our Objectives - Agreed and updated November 2024

Objective 1

To monitor and analyse pupil achievement by race, gender and disability and proactively respond to any trends or patterns in the data that highlight disproportionate achievement levels by providing additional support for pupils.

Why we have chosen this objective: Our internal data, which is discussed termly at Pupil Progress Meetings, indicates an inequality of attainment/progress across KS1 and KS2 for certain groups in relation to their starting points.

To achieve this objective we plan to: The progress of all groups will be continuously tracked. Appropriate support is targeted where necessary to ensure that all groups make at least good progress. Targeted interventions will be tracked to ensure pupils make progress to align with their peers.

Intended Outcome: Data analysis will show a reducing gap towards equality of attainment/progress for all groups in relation to their starting points.

Objective 2

To reduce the number of prejudice-based incidents towards people who share a protected characteristic

Why we have chosen this objective: SJC Federation is a diverse and inclusive community. We are proud of our differences which make us a unique and interesting place for children to learn. We aim for all our children to feel safe and confident in school, free from any prejudice, and to leave our schools well-prepared for life in modern Britain.

To achieve this objective we plan to: Monitor any prejudice-based incidents which are logged on CPOMS. This analysis will help identify any specific training needs for staff as well as education needs for groups of children. The diverse curriculum will positively reinforce and promote equality, as well as discreet lessons delivered in RE, RHE and PSHE curriculums.

Intended Outcome: There will be a decline of prejudice-based behaviour incidents between children.

Objective 3

Increase the awareness and capability of those undertaking recruitment on behalf of the Federation in relation to inclusion to support an increase in the diversity of the Federation workforce.

Why we have chosen this objective: SJC Federation recruits a number of staff each year and has a duty to ensure this process is in line with national legislation and guidance. We also recognise that a diverse workforce will better serve the diverse community in which we operate.   

To achieve this objective we plan to: Source suitable training for relevant senior staff members to undertake and review how we undertaken recruitment and selection to identify any opportunities to make this more inclusive.

Intended Outcome: Training evaluation data will show that 100% of those attending have a good understanding of the legal requirements and inclusive recruitment more broadly. Recruitment will positively support the diversity of the Federation’s workforce.

Public Sector Equality Duty

The Equality Act 2010 requires us to publish information to demonstrate 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

SJC Federation schools are inclusive and we focus on the well-being and progress of every child and where all members of our community are of equal worth.

We believe 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.

Our approach to equality is based on the following key principles:

1. All learners are of equal value
2. We recognise and respect difference
3. We foster positive attitudes and relationships and a shared sense of cohesion and belonging
4. We observe good equalities practice in staff recruitment, retention and development
5. We aim to reduce and remove inequalities and barriers that already exist
6. We have the highest expectations of all our children

Information on pupils by protected characteristics

The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics. Every person has one or more of the protected characteristics so the Act protects everyone from unfair treatment.

Information on other groups of pupils

We also gather information on the following groups of pupils:

• Pupils eligible for free school meals
• Pupils with Special Educational Needs
• Disadvantaged groups
• Pupils with English as an additional language
• Looked after children
• Other vulnerable groups

Eliminating discrimination and other conduct that is protected from the Act

The information provided here aims to demonstrate that we give careful consideration to equality issues in everything that we do. `Due regard` ensures that we work towards eliminating discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act.

We are committed to working for equality for all our staff, parent/carers and children to meet our duties under the Equality Act 2010.

We eliminate discrimination by:

• Accessibility Plan
• Behaviour policy ensures that all children feel safe at school and addresses prejudice
• Reporting, responding to and monitoring all racist, sexist and homophobic incidents
• Regularly monitoring the curriculum to ensure that it meets the needs of all our pupils and it promotes respect for diversity and challenges negative stereotyping
• Teaching is of the highest quality to ensure that children reach their potential and all pupils are given equal entitlement to success
• Tracking pupil progress to ensure that all children make rapid progress and intervening when necessary
• Ensuring that all pupils have the opportunity to access extra-curricular opportunity
• Listening to and monitoring views and experiences of pupils and adults to evaluate the effectiveness of our policies and procedures

Advancing equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it

 We advance equality of opportunity by:

• Using the information we gather to identify underachieving groups or individuals and plan targeted intervention
• Listening to parent/carers
• Listening to pupils at all times

Fostering good relations across all characteristics - between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it

 We foster good relations by:

• Ensuring that equality and diversity is embedded in our curriculum