Public Sector Equality Duty

Rationale

Hawthorn Primary School will abide by the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 and has developed this Equality Statement to help us meet our Public Sector Equality Duty (“Equality Duty”) under the Equality Act 2010. The Equality Duty makes sure public bodies play their part in making society fairer by tackling discrimination and providing equality of opportunity for all.

We are committed to giving due regard to equal treatment and opportunity for all staff, pupils and members of the wider community. We do all that we can to eliminate discrimination and foster good relations amongst all groups connected with the school.

The Equality Act covers nine protected characteristics, which cannot be used as a reason to treat people unfairly. They are:
  • Age (employees)
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage and civil partnership (employees)
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Race
  • Religion or belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation.
  • Equality Duty
The Equality Duty has two parts – the general duty and the specific duties. The general duty requires us to consider how our policies, practices and day-to-day activities impact on students and staff. We must have due regard to the need to:

Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act.
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 those who do not share it.
The specific duties require us to: publish information (Equality Analysis) to show how we are complying with the Equality Duty. This will be updated annually; and prepare and publish Equality Objectives. We will publish objectives at least once every four years.
Hawthorn Primary School is a small inner city primary school serving an area of high socio-economic deprivation. In recent years, levels of deprivation amongst pupils in the school have increased. 58.2% of children are eligible for Free School Meals.

86.3% pupils are drawn from the 10% most deprived wards in UK, with many drawn from the 1% most deprived wards in the UK. . We are proud that this is not evident to school visitors as children are well behaved, and enjoy being at school.

The school has a changing pupil population. The percentage of EAL pupils stands at 53.2% - a rise of 10% in the past 4 years. There are 22 first languages represented at Hawthorn.

The percentage of SEN pupils is 22.7% overall, this represents a wide range of additional needs.

The growing proportion of pupils from areas of deprivation and those of minority ethnic heritage makes for a rich experience of other cultures for all our pupils and inclusion and integration is very good. It also presents, however, a challenge for staff that are teaching and supporting pupils with varying levels of English language competence.

Equality Objectives

To narrow the gap in attainment between different groups.
  • Rigorously monitor the progress of all groups, to clearly identify any underachievement in performance and adjust provision to support progress. This objective is monitored by the senior leadership team and key staff alongside the school governing body.
To promote Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development through all appropriate curricular activities, with particular reference to issues of equality and diversity.

  • Through daily assemblies
  • Through PHSCE curriculum
  • Giving children an awareness of different cultures, religions and beliefs through an enriched curriculum.
  • Ensuring children do not use homophobic, biphobic and transphobic language in school. Any incidents are dealt with immediately.
To ensure that pupils are punctual and attend school consistently.
  • Registers are checked regularly and where there is concern the school attendance officer will work with Family Support co-ordinator to help family improve.
To ensure teachers in school differentiate activities in order that individual pupils can achieve. Planning is checked and books scrutinised by the SLT and co-ordinators to ensure that all activities are differentiated where relevant.
 
To provide additional support for vulnerable children who are at risk of underachieving
  • Classroom support staff to support these children through intervention and in class support. Family Support Coordinator works with families.
  • Parent workshops throughout the year.
  • Support via website (e.g. with phonics)
To provide after school activities for those pupils wishing to take part.
  • The school provides a range of after school activities which meet the needs of the children
  • The school monitors the levels of attendance
All activities are free.