At Limes Farm Infant School and Nursery we always ensure that we are compliant within the Equality Act 2010. We ensure that we continually develop and improve our equality, diversity and inclusion.

Our approach to promoting Equality is based on the following principles, using the nine protected characteristics:

• All learners are of equal value. Whatever their ability, whatever their ethnicity, culture, national origin or national status, whatever their gender identity, whatever their religious or non-religious affiliation or faith background and whatever their sexual orientation.

• We recognise, respect and value difference and understand that diversity is a strength. We take account of differences and strive to remove barriers and disadvantages which children and adults within our school setting may face, in relation to disability, ethnicity, gender, religion, belief or faith and sexual orientation. We believe that diversity is a strength, which should be respected and celebrated by all those who learn, teach and visit our school.

• We foster positive attitudes and relationships. We actively promote positive attitudes and mutual respect between groups and communities different from each other.

• We foster a shared sense of cohesion and belonging. We want all members of our school community to feel a sense of belonging within the school and wider community and to feel that they are respected and able to participate fully in school life.

• We observe good equalities practice for our staff. We strive to ensure that policies and procedures benefit all employees and potential employees in all aspects of their work, including in recruitment and promotion, and in continuing professional development

• We have the highest expectations of all our children. We expect all pupils to make good progress and achieve to their highest potential

• We work to raise standards for all pupils, but especially for the most vulnerable. We believe that improving the quality of education for the most vulnerable groups of pupils ensures that these children are more likely to achieve high standards and improve their life chances.

Equality Statement:

Our Equality Statement is based on the principles above and our core values.

‘It is our aim to ensure that all pupils and members of staff are provided with opportunities to fulfil their potential whatever their sex, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, marital status, age, sexual orientation, disability or religious belief. Our commitment to equality is a fundamental part of our drive to ensure that all members of the Limes Farm Infant School and Nursery community feel they belong, learn and enjoy!

What we are doing to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation:

At all times we strive to take into account equality issues in relation to:

• Admissions and exclusions.
• The way we provide education for our pupils.
• The way we provide access for pupils to facilities and services.

We are aware of the reasonable adjustment duty and work towards enhancing access and participation for pupils with SEN and/ or disabilities and in ensuring that these pupils are not being placed at a disadvantage compared to their non-disabled peers.

The Governors ensure that all appointment panels give careful consideration to this policy so that no one is discriminated against regarding employment, promotion or training opportunities.

We take seriously the need to consider the equality implications when we develop, adapt and review any policy or procedure and whenever we make significant decisions about the day to day life of the school.

We actively promote equality and diversity throughout our school curriculum and by creating a learning environment which promotes respect for all.

Behaviour, Exclusions and Attendance:

The School’s Behaviour Policy and Anti-Bullying policies take account of the duties under the Equality Act. We monitor data on exclusions and absence from school for evidence of over-representation of different groups and take action, when required, to address concerns. The school aims to actively challenge all forms of prejudice and prejudice-based bullying, which stand in the way of fulfilling our commitment to inclusion and equality:

We treat all bullying incidents seriously and provide a report to the Governors about the numbers, types and seriousness of these incidents and how we have dealt with them. We review this data termly and take action to reduce incidents

What we are doing to advance equality of opportunity between different groups:

We are aware of the needs of our school population and collect and analyse data in order to inform our planning and identify targets to achieve improvements.

We have procedures, working in partnership with parents and carers, to identify children who are ‘vulnerable’ through our pupil admissions meetings.

We collect data and monitor progress and outcomes of different groups of pupils and use this data to support school improvement. We take action to close any gaps, for example, for those making slow progress in acquiring age-appropriate literacy and mathematical skills.

We use a range of teaching strategies that ensure we meet the needs of all pupils and where, it is deemed necessary, we provide support to pupils at risk of underachieving.

We are alert and proactive about the potentially damaging impact of negative language in matters such as race, gender, disability and sexuality.

We ensure equality of access for all pupils to a broad and balanced curriculum, removing barriers to participation where necessary.

We have an Accessibility Plan designed to:

• Increase the extent to which pupils with a disability can participate in the curriculum.
• Improve the physical environment.
• Improve the availability of accessible information to disabled pupils.

What we are doing to foster good relations:

We aim to prepare our pupils for life in a diverse society and ensure that there are activities across the curriculum that promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our pupils.

We teach about difference and diversity and the impact of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination through PSHE and citizenship and the promotion of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development across the curriculum.

We use materials and resources that reflect the diversity of the school, population and local community in terms of race, gender, sexual identity and disability, avoiding stereotyping.

We promote a whole school ethos and values that challenge prejudice based discriminatory language, attitudes and behaviour.

We provide opportunities for pupils to appreciate their own culture and celebrate the diversity of other cultures.

We include the contribution of different cultures to world history and that promote positive images of people

We provide opportunities for pupils to listen to a range of opinions and empathise with different experiences.

We promote positive messages about equality and diversity through displays, assemblies, visitors, whole school events.

Where appropriate we include equality matters in our newsletters to parents and Carers