EQUAL OPPORTUNITY And RACIAL EQUALITY POLICY

Transcription

1 In Partnership with Pupils, Parents and Staff EQUAL OPPORTUNITY And RACIAL EQUALITY POLICY Updated February

2 ELLON ACADEMY POLICY STATEMENT ON EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY The school prospectus states: We value... - each young person as an individual - equality of educational opportunity - the opinions of both pupils and staff - relationships within the community - the concept of comprehensive education - hard work and self discipline The staff aim... - to build on individual pupil talents, interests and aspirations - to provide a happy working environment based on mutual respect - to develop an awareness of the needs and aspirations of our community - to develop a tolerance and respect of others - to develop an appreciation of our natural and cultural heritage Our policy statement on equality of opportunity is designed to ensure that no-one is discriminated against on the grounds of ability, age, disability, gender, minority group membership, nationality, race, religion, or social position. Equal Opportunities should be the concern of pupils, parents, all teaching and non-teaching staff, and should permeate all aspects of school life. They will cover the following 4 main areas: Commitment Management Equal Opportunities and Racial Equality Ethos Entitlement 2

3 POLICY INTO PRACTICE This policy provides the framework within which equality of opportunity at Ellon Academy will flourish. The practice of EO will be reflected each session in the School development plan and will be stated in terms of achievable and realistic targets in line with overall school priorities. Update : February 2006 Ellon Academy is working towards an ethos which promotes good relationships between persons of different backgrounds and cultures. Our Equal Opportunities policy is in line with Aberdeenshire s Racial Equality Policy (Nov 2005). As such we will not tolerate Racial or other abuses against a pupil or member of staff. Incidents will be reported in line with Aberdeenshire Policy and staff and pupils will be supported and/or action taken as necessary. 3

4 1. COMMITMENT If the provision of Equal Opportunities is to become a reality, it must be integrated into the school s stated aims (see page 1) and permeate and underpin all its activities. EXAMPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE INCLUDE: - having an agreed and accessible policy on Equal Opportunities - on going awareness by staff and pupils - equal opportunities as an integral part of the school and departmental theory and practice - provision of adequate materials and methodology irrespective of ability, race or gender - whole school aims and policies should reflect this commitment in line with this document. 4

5 EVIDENCE OF COMMITMENT AT ELLON ACADEMY Regional EO Policy TVE Audit materials Regional/Area EO reports/documents School EO Policy Departmental EO Policy School Prospectus School Policies Departmental Handbook School Development Plan School Aims Subject Choice Booklets Parents Year Booklets PSE Programme ELT Policy EO Committee Senior Staff Staff Development Committee Training Parent, teacher, non teaching, pupil awareness raising sessions, documents, processes Curricular experiences/activities in place Committees taking account of EO Pupil senates, year meetings Parent/teacher meetings Communications to pupils, parents, teaching and non-teaching staff Integration to maintain education Equal access to the curriculum A trial of a single sex science class 1. Outcome and analysis of 1997 SG results 2. Research Learning Support Auxiliary Support Homework Club EBD DEPARTMENTAL EVIDENCE AND APPROPRIATE PROCEDURES: 5

6 2. MANAGEMENT The management of Ellon Academy has the responsibility to ensure that the concept of Equal Opportunity is fully supported within every aspect of the formal and informal curriculum. Examples of Good Practice Include: - Senior Management Team involved in Equal Opportunity Working party - SMT responsible for ensuring that all school developments embrace the EO policy - development needs of staff with regard to equal opportunities identified and supported - all promoted staff have a particular responsibility to ensure that all pupils have equal access to all aspects of the curriculum, resources and staff time - full time Guidance staff - Promotion of the best environment for effective learning - promoting EO 6

7 EVIDENCE OF EO REFLECTED IN MANAGEMENT Timetabling eg providing quality time for pastoral care IS awareness raising day Auditing - updating of resources Monitoring of school policies eg discipline and individual departmental developments EO element incorporated into IS Commitment to EBD Catch-up Club Promoting Education at Ellon Academy Issues eg theme weeks, Positive Recognition, Promoting Achievement Policy of revisiting aspects of policy(s) DEPARTMENTAL EVIDENCE AND APPROPRIATE PROCEDURES: 7

8 3. ENTITLEMENT All students at Ellon Academy have an entitlement to: - an appropriate range of curricular and extra curricular opportunities - the opportunity to fulfil their individual potential - be valued and supported as an individual Examples of Good Practice Include - providing a balanced, wide-ranging curriculum for all students regardless of gender, ability race etc - encouraging all individuals to reach their full potential - monitoring and responding to variations in the uptake and attainment of particular school groupings across the curriculum - delivering a breadth of topics and experiences in the classroom to appeal to a wide variety of individual interests - using language in a sensitive and non-discriminatory fashion - appropriate classroom management and organisation to promote effective teaching and learning. - staff being aware and taking account of illness/difficulties faced by individuals. 8

9 EVIDENCE OF EO ENTITLEMENT Positive individual counselling/guidance support for subject choices Subject choice documentation encouraging all pupils to feel subjects are available to them Subject and school records showing uptake in options Subjects illustrate aspects of a range of societies, cultures and individuals Guidelines on use of appropriate language Core curriculum in S1/S2 for all pupils Easy access to information concerning pupils EBD DEPARTMENTAL EVIDENCE AND APPROPRIATE PROCEDURES: 9

10 4. ETHOS The ethos of Ellon Academy is such that all staff and pupils should feel equally valued, have a sense of fair treatment, feel secure and feel that they are treated with respect. Examples of good practice will result in: - everyone having a sound idea of what EO means and how it can affect groups and practice - procedures being in place to enable everyone to feel safe from abuse, harassment, bullying and discriminatory language or behaviour - staff and pupils feeling valued through their ability to contribute positively to the school and to respect themselves and each other - parents, employers and the wider community feeling valued through their ability to contribute positively to the school - opportunities given to participate in negotiation, planning, development and review of school initiatives - consistency of approach in maintaining EO agreed practices throughout the school. 10

11 EO REFLECTED IN OUR SCHOOL ETHOS Positive interaction between staff, pupils and wider community Class management and positive relationship policies - promoting education at Ellon Academy Free exchange of opinions and ideas involving participative management Staff/pupil councils eg pupil welfare committee Ongoing initiatives and development to support EO Minutes of meetings available to staff Effective and appropriate communications through eg reporting procedures, course choice, parent teacher meetings, newsletters etc EO policy in place and reflected in departmental policies Positive promotion of School dress Inserts into SFSD programme Theme weeks DEPARTMENTAL EVIDENCE AND APPROPRIATE PROCEDURES: 11

12 This policy document belongs to the Department. Circulation list: Name Designation Date received Discussed: (date) of departmental meeting. Signed: 12