Public Sector Equality Duty

The Equality Act 2010 requires us to publish information that demonstrates 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.                                                            

Beechwood Primary School and Nursery is an inclusive school where we focus on the wellbeing and progress of every child and where all members of our community are of equal worth.

We believe that 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.

Equality Information

Number of pupils on roll at the school: 434

Age of pupils: 2 to 11

Information on pupils by protected characteristics

The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics. Every person has several of the protected characteristics, so the Act protects everyone against unfair treatment.

In order to ensure that all pupils are protected from discrimination, the school collects information on protected characteristics.

Information on other groups of pupils

In addition to pupils with protected characteristics, we gather further information on the following groups of pupils:

• Pupils eligible for Free School Meals (FSM)
• Pupils eligible for Pupil Premium Funding (PP)
• Pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEND)
• Pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL)
• Young carers
• Looked after children

Gender:  49% male, 51% female

Pupils eligible for Free School Meals (FSM):  38%

Pupils eligible for Pupil Premium Funding: 40.3%

Pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) 11%

Pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL): 36%

Young Carers: 1.4%

Cared for Children: 1.2%

Through rigorous tracking and monitoring of individuals and identified groups of children, and by providing equal opportunities to access the curriculum and activities, we aim to ensure that any gap in attainment for pupils is reduced and remains less than the gap nationally.

Eliminating discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Act

The information provided here aims to demonstrate that we give careful consideration to equality issues in everything that we do at Beechwood Primary School.

‘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, parents/carers and children to meet our duties under the Equality Act 2010.

We eliminate discrimination by:

• Ensuring that through our behaviour and anti-bullying policy children feel safe at school and any issues of prejudicial bullying are addressed;
• Reporting, responding to and monitoring all racist incidents;
• Regularly monitoring the curriculum to ensure that the provision on offer meets the needs of our pupils and that it promotes respect for diversity and challenges negative stereotyping;
• Ensuring that teaching is of the highest standard so that all children reach their full potential and are given equal entitlement to success;
• Tracking pupil progress to ensure that all children make rapid progress, and intervening where necessary;
• Ensuring that all pupils have the opportunity to access extra-curricular provision free of charge;
• 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;
• Ensuring participation of parents/carers and pupils in school development;
• Listening to parents/carers feedback;
• 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 Beechwood Primary School and Nursery is seen as a hub within our local community;
• Ensuring that equality and diversity are embedded in the curriculum and in collective worship.