Equality @ SMCC

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 treat them less favourably because of their gender; race; disability; religion or belief; gender reassignment; sexual orientation; pregnancy or maternity.

SMCC fully supports the guidance within The Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty:

• We encourage good relations and ensure everyone has equality of opportunity.
• We strive to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
• We ensure everyone has an equal chance to make the most of their lives and talents.

The Equality Act 2010Public Sector Equality Duty

We continually assess our existing practices in relation to equality and consider objectives to help us improve further upon our practice.

These objectives are:

• Promotion of cultural understanding, awareness and respect of different religious beliefs between different ethnic groups within our school community.
• Monitor and promote the involvement of all groups of students in the extra-curricular life of the school, including leadership opportunities, especially students with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Actively strive to close gaps in attainment and achievement between students and all groups of students; especially pupil premium students, students eligible for free-school meals, students with special educational needs and disabilities, looked after children and students from minority ethnic groups.
• Continue to ensure accessibility across the school for students, staff and visitors with disabilities, including access to specialist teaching areas. All areas of our school is currently accessible by all and any planned projects are designed to ensure that this remain so.
• Endeavour to ensure that the staff body and representation of staff in leadership roles is governed solely by the skills set required, there is no discrimination either positive nor negative.
• Reduce the incidence of the use of homophobic, sexist and racist language by students in the school.
• Our policies and procedures are clear and unambiguous on this and are adhered to by all.