Policy: Equality Statement

2024-2025

Policy details

• Date approved - September 2024
• Next review date - October 2025
• Policy owner - Mr S Fletcher

Equality Statement 1

Co-op Academy Belle Vue

At Co-op Academy Belle Vue, we believe that everyone is different but equal. We are committed to developing and maintaining a more diverse and inclusive community where equality, responsibility, and respect are at the core of everything we do. Our academy’s success is rooted in a deep understanding of how diversity enriches our school and reflects our values.

Diversity at Co-op Academy Belle Vue encompasses race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, religion, intellectual and physical ability, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, family structure, language, and geographic origin. We are proud of the varied and vibrant makeup of our community, and we actively celebrate this diversity.

• Co-op Academy Belle Vue demonstrates a clear commitment to promoting diversity and equality, as outlined in our Academy Improvement Plan, policies, and other key documents.
• We explicitly teach diversity and inclusivity through the curriculum, in particular though our CARE curriculum.
• We aim to create a fair and inclusive school community that promotes social inclusion, community cohesion, and equality, while respecting diversity and actively challenging all forms of discrimination, including bullying and transphobia.
• Our academy takes positive action to promote racial harmony and foster positive attitudes towards life in a multicultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-faith school, using the curriculum, dedicated projects, and our regular events throughout the year.
• We work actively to challenge racism, sexism, homophobia, and all other forms of prejudice while celebrating differences in our community.
• There is a continuous focus to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to achieve their full potential, regardless of their gender, ethnic or racial background, religion, ability, or sexuality.
• We actively promote British values of tolerance, fairness, respect for other faiths, and the rule of law and democracy, with our academy’s "Shared Values and Learning Ethos" underpinning our behaviour and rewards system.

As part of our commitment to celebrating our diverse community, we hold an annual Culture Day to recognise and honour the rich cultural backgrounds that make up Co-op Academy Belle Vue. This event is a key part of our efforts to ensure that diversity is fully embraced and celebrated.

Additionally, we have appointed and trained a group of student "Diversity Pioneers," who work alongside our existing student leadership roles. These ambassadors help guide our actions to ensure that equality, diversity, and inclusion are integrated into every aspect of student life at the academy.