Equality Information
The Equality Act of 2010 was introduced to ensure individuals are protected 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 staff members, or treat them less favourably because of their gender; race; disability; religion or belief; gender reassignment; sexual orientation; pregnancy or maternity.
Under the Act, Birchwood High School is expected to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty to:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
- Advance equality of opportunity between different groups
- Foster good relations between different groups
- As a public organisation, we are required to:
- Publish information to show compliance with the Equality Duty. This is done via our Equality Policy, which can be found on the Policies page of our website.
- Publish Equality Objectives which are specific and measurable
Our Equality Objectives 25-26
- To ensure our commitment to equality is evident in our strategic development planning, operations, promotion and self-review.
- To identify and take action to close gaps in attendance and achievement for all groups of students: boys and girls, disadvantaged students, students with special educational needs and disabilities, looked after children and students from different heritage groups including white British boys.
- To achieve inclusivity and cohesion between all students groups, through education, understanding and celebration of different cultures, religions, sexualities and ethnicities.
- To ensure all students have equal access to the curriculum and co-curriculum, free from limitations, discrimination and barriers.
- To establish a school culture where staff or students do not tolerate or ignores the use of homophobic, sexist and racist language and have the confidence and character to tackle it.
