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Policy: Equality and Accessibility

Policy: Equality and Accessibility

Policy details

  • Date approved - 02/09/2024
  • Next review date - 02/09/2026
  • Policy owner - Scott Fletcher

Purpose

Co-op Academy Belle Vue is committed to promoting equality, inclusion, and accessibility in all aspects of school life. This policy outlines our commitment to ensuring that every member of our school community, including students, staff, and visitors, has equal access to opportunities and resources, free from discrimination, harassment, or prejudice.

Policy Statement

We believe that diversity is a strength and that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity. This policy sets out how we will eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different groups within our academy.

Scope

This policy applies to all members of the Co-op Academy Belle Vue community, including students, staff, parents, carers, visitors, and other stakeholders.

Legal Framework

This policy is in line with current legislation, including:

  • The Equality Act 2010
  • The Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice 2015
  • The Children and Families Act 2014
  • The Public Sector Equality Duty

Aims and Objectives

Our objectives under this policy are to:

  • Eliminate unlawful discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
  • Advance equality of opportunity by removing or minimising disadvantages, meeting diverse needs, and encouraging participation where it is disproportionately low.
  • Foster good relations by promoting understanding, tackling prejudice, and encouraging a culture of respect and inclusion.

Roles and Responsibilities

6.1 The Community Council

  • Ensure the school complies with relevant equality legislation.
  • Monitor and review the effectiveness of this policy and related practices annually.
  • Hold the Principal accountable for the implementation of this policy.

6.2 The Principal

  • Implement the policy and its related procedures, ensuring all staff are aware of their responsibilities.
  • Promote equality and diversity within the school curriculum and broader activities.
  • Address any incidents of discrimination, bullying, or harassment promptly and effectively.

6.3 All Staff

  • Uphold the principles of this policy in their everyday interactions with students, colleagues, and visitors.
  • Attend regular training on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Be vigilant in recognizing and addressing discriminatory behavior or practices.

6.4 Students

  • Respect and value diversity within the school community.
  • Participate actively in school activities that promote equality and inclusion.
  • Report any incidents of bullying or discrimination to a member of staff.

6.5 Parents and Carers

  • Support the school in promoting equality and inclusion.
  • Encourage their children to respect and value diversity.
  • Work in partnership with the school to address any issues related to discrimination or accessibility.

Accessibility

Co-op Academy Belle Vue is committed to ensuring that our school environment is accessible to all members of the community, including those with disabilities. This includes:

  • Physical Access: We will regularly assess our buildings and facilities to ensure they are accessible and make necessary adjustments to accommodate the needs of students, staff, and visitors with disabilities.
  • Curriculum Access: We will adapt our curriculum, teaching methods, and resources to ensure that all students can participate fully in their education.
  • Communication Access: We will provide information in accessible formats and offer support services, such as sign language interpreters or translation services, when needed.

Equality Objectives

Each year, Co-op Academy Belle Vue will set specific equality objectives to address identified gaps or areas for improvement. These objectives will be based on data analysis, feedback from stakeholders, and a review of our current practices. Progress towards these objectives will be monitored and reported to the Community Council.

Reporting and Monitoring

  • We will monitor the effectiveness of this policy through regular analysis of data on student performance, staff diversity, and incidents of discrimination.
  • Feedback from students, staff, parents, and carers will be sought and considered in the review of this policy.
  • Any incidents of discrimination, bullying, or harassment will be recorded and dealt with according to the school’s behaviour and safeguarding policies.

Links with Other Policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with:

  • Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
  • SEND Policy
  • Anti-Bullying Policy
  • Health and Safety Policy
  • Complaints Policy

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by [name and/or role] and approved by the Community Council. Adjustments will be made as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, feedback from the school community, and outcomes from monitoring and evaluation processes.

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