Equality Objectives

Preface:

Our school is situated close to London, home to one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse populations in the world with more than 300 languages being spoken in the city. Whatever the nature of the local community, our students are growing up in a diverse society where they are subject to various attitudes towards minority groups, certain images of these groups portrayed by the media, and their own unconscious bias.

The school’s Equality Objectives should be read in conjunction with the Accessibility Policy and the Equality and Diversity Policy.

The school, in common with all public bodies, has a duty to:

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

Ethos:

Our school places a real focus on recognising our students as individuals. All have the right to work and learn in a safe, secure and caring environment, in which they are valued. In developing the ‘Hayes Learner’ we are developing the attitudes and characteristics our young people will need throughout their lives. The Hayes Learner is kind, empathetic, accepting, respectful, responsible and proud. We respect ourselves, each other and our community. The relationships which exist between all members of our school community are a strength of our school.

The School has a responsibility to broaden the horizons of our children and young people. We strive to overcome disadvantage and stand against all forms of discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Objectives:

Our equality objectives, as agreed with the Governing Body are:

To promote cultural understanding and awareness, valuing and celebrating various cultures and religious beliefs amongst different ethnic groups within our school community
To monitor and promote the involvement of all groups of students in the extra-curricular life of the school, including leadership opportunities
To actively close gaps in attainment and achievement between students and all groups of students; especially boys, students eligible for free-school meals, students with special educational needs and disabilities, looked after children and students from minority ethnic
groups
To provide appropriate and early pastoral interventions for students to promote positive behaviour and inclusion, especially for those groups over-represented in behaviour data (including boys and students with special educational needs)
To ensure accessibility across the school for students, staff and visitors with disabilities, including access to specialist teaching
To provide role-models for all students, ensuring diversity in the staff body, visiting speakers and in leadership roles
To diversify the curriculum in all areas to ensure the positive representation of all protected characteristics across so that our students see and can be seen
To reduce the incidence of the use of discriminatory language and prejudice-based bullying by students in the school.
To ensure the consistent recording, reporting and action by staff following incidents of discriminatory language and behaviour, including bullying
To review relevant school policies and publications to ensure they clearly reflect the aim of inclusivity

In addition to the shared Equality Objectives above, the School has a link governor with responsibility for this area.

Last reviewed: March 2024