The Equality Act 2010 was introduced to ensure protection from discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the grounds of specific characteristics (referred to as protected characteristics). For schools, this means that it is unlawful to discriminate against students or to treat them less favourably because of their gender, race, disability, religion or belief, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity. Marriage and civil partnership and age are also classed as ‘protected characteristics’, but do not apply to our provision for students.
Under the Act, the school is expected to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty. This requires us to:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
- Advance equality of opportunity between different groups.
- Foster good relationships between different groups.
As a public organisation, we are required to:
- Publish information to show compliance with the Equality Duty. This is done in our How we comply with Public Sector Equality Duty document, which can be found on our website.
- Publish Equality Objectives that are specific and measurable.
Our approach to promoting equality within the school is in line with national guidance and contains information about how the school complies with the Public Sector Equality Duty. We also give guidance to staff and outside visitors on our approach to promoting equality.
Our Equality Objectives reflect the school’s priorities and draw upon available data and other evidence. Careful analysis of this is undertaken in order to ensure that we are working to achieve improved outcomes for different groups.
For 2022-2023 our Equality Objectives are:
- To close the gap in attainment and achievement between groups of students, especially males and females, disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged students, students with special educational needs and disabilities and children who are looked after.
- To ensure that all students have opportunities to develop their cultural capital during every year of their studies at Cansfield High School.
- To provide an environment that welcomes, protects and respects diverse people.
- To address cultural events through form period and year assemblies to increase student awareness and understanding of issues in different communities.
- To ensure that the school is welcoming to LGBT students and to reduce the number of incidents of homophobic language by students.
See the following documents in About Us / Policies for further information:
- How we Comply with Public Sector Equality Duty
- Single Equality Policy
