GAWSWORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY CODE OF PRACTICE ADVANCING EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY 1.1 Communicating the Equality and Diversity Policy Gawsworth Primary School commits to taking active steps to communicate the Macclesfield Schools, Academies and College Equality and Diversity Policy to all students, parents/carers/associated others, governors and staff, and to ensuring that partners, stakeholders, visitors and contractors are made aware of its values, principles and standards. It will do so by: providing all governors, staff, and parents/carers with easy access to the Policy via the website and drawing their attention to it at induction/ meetings including equality and diversity in student induction so that students gain an understanding of the School s values and expectations and, where appropriate, providing access to the Policy or a summary of it via the VLE drawing the key commitments of the Policy to the attention of all visitors and contractors displaying the Policy in Reception areas and on the School website ensuring that the Policy s values, principles and standards are reflected in everything we do. 1.2 Learner entitlement Gawsworth Primary School has developed a Learner Entitlement which reflects the values, principles and standards set out in the Equality and Diversity Policy and actively advances equality of opportunity. This is referenced to Cheshire East policy and practice. 1.3 Language and behaviour Gawsworth Primary School expects governors, staff, students, parents/carers, visitors and contractors to behave in ways which demonstrate respect for others. This means that governors, staff and students should each play their part in creating a positive, welcoming environment within the School and that every individual should avoid language or actions which might cause another hurt or offence. 1.4 Marketing and publicity Gawsworth Primary School will ensure that: services and facilities are designed to meet the learning needs and aspirations of the communities it serves its marketing and publicity material is distributed widely to provide the community with easy access to information and guidance our website is accessible to all 1
publicity materials are available on DVD, in large print or other media, on request all School publicity material will emphasise its commitment to equality and diversity, including using images as appropriate publicity materials will avoid stereotyping of roles and demonstrate a variety of opportunities. 1.5 Pupil admissions/recruitment and induction Gawsworth Primary School s admissions procedures will ensure that all students (and their parents/carers) receive comprehensive pre-entry guidance and opportunities to take part in activities which facilitate transition. Admissions and recruitment procedures will be welcoming, professional and free from bias. The School will seek to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. It will ensure that pupils with additional needs are appropriately supported through the admissions and recruitment process, that steps are taken to understand and plan to meet their needs, and that reasonable adjustments are made to enable them to access the curriculum and extra curricular activities. All admissions to our School are through the Cheshire East local authority. 1.6 Staff induction and development All new staff will receive an induction to Gawsworth Primary School to enable them to settle quickly into their new roles. Induction will include awareness and understanding of the Equality and Diversity Policy and Code of Practice. All School staff are entitled to training and development to improve their effectiveness in their post. Applications for training and development will be considered fairly, without unfair discrimination. All staff will receive awareness training on equality and diversity and, where appropriate or requested, more specialised training in advancing, delivering and monitoring equal opportunities. Please refer to our Staff Development policy. 2. DELIVERING EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY Curriculum and learning resources Learning resources will be free from racist, sexist and other prejudiced or discriminatory assumptions, images and language. The only exception to this is where materials are used to promote positive discussion of equality issues. Where appropriate opportunities arise, learning resources will be used to advance students awareness and understanding of equality and diversity. The curriculum will be designed to be inclusive and to promote access and progression. Where appropriate, credit will be given for prior learning and experience. Teaching, learning and assessment 2
Gawsworth Primary School is committed to achieving the highest standards in teaching and learning. We will seek to develop inclusive, personalised learning strategies to meet the needs of individual students and to help them to achieve their full potential. In so doing, the School will take active steps to develop staff in the best teaching and learning practice and to work with partners to ensure that best practice is promoted and shared. Assessment will be fair and Gawsworth Primary School will strive to ensure that assessment techniques provide all students with the opportunity to gain credit for their knowledge, skills and achievements. Assessment for learning will be used to provide students with feedback which will enable them to improve and build upon current performance. Reasonable adjustments will be made to adapt assessments to take into account the additional needs of students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities so that they can demonstrate effectively what they have learned. Please refer to our Achievement Policy. Learner support All students will receive support appropriate to their age and ability. Our curriculum will be designed to support pupils learning, track their progress and provide pastoral support. Class teachers will adopt an inclusive, personalised approach which recognises individual learner needs. All learners will be supported according to their individual needs. Pupils will be assessed to identify individual support needs and steps taken to respond to these needs. Gawsworth Primary School is committed to widening participation in education and to meeting its obligations under equality legislation. Every attempt will be made to provide additional support where this will enable students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to participate fully in School and to achieve their full potential. Information, advice and guidance During their time at Gawsworth Primary School all students will have access to advice and guidance about educational pathways. Resources will be free from racist, sexist and other prejudiced or discriminatory assumptions, images and language. The School will challenge stereotypes about careers and job roles so as to encourage pupils to access information, advice and guidance on a wide range of alternative options and opportunities. Staff recruitment, selection and other Human Resources practice Gawsworth Primary School s staff recruitment and selection procedures reflect best HR practice, including safe recruitment requirements. All external appointments will be advertised and advertisements will emphasise that the School is an equal opportunities employer. Care will be taken over: the wording, design and composition of job advertisements consideration will be given as to the best place to advertise each post. A job description and person specification will be drawn up for each vacant post and care will be taken to avoid artificial barriers to recruitment. All job applicants 3
will be notified of the availability of the Equality and Diversity Policy via the website. Application forms will require only essential information. Equal opportunities monitoring information will be collected on a separate form. The aim of selection is to appoint the most suitable candidate in relation to the job requirements. Thus selection criteria will relate to qualifications, skills and experience relevant to the post and any tests or exercises will be carried out in circumstances similar to the normal job environment. Long-listing/short-listing will be carried out by a properly constituted panel. Short-listed candidates will be appropriately briefed and have the opportunity to visit the School to meet prospective managers and colleagues. Interviews will be conducted by an appropriately constituted panel of trained interviewers. Wherever possible, attention will be paid to the gender balance of the panel. Questioning will be confined to matters relevant to the post, and will not normally concern applicants personal lives. A record will be made of the reasons for the appointment/non-appointment of short-listed candidates. Feedback will be offered to unsuccessful candidates who attend for interview. Please refer to our recruitment and selection policy. Access and environment Gawsworth Primary School understands and accepts its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010. The School welcomes applications from staff and students with disabilities and will seek to accommodate them. An access audit will be carried out and the School will take steps to ensure that all reasonable adjustments are implemented to make buildings and facilities accessible. Complaints, bullying and harassment Gawsworth Primary School will not tolerate bullying or harassment of any kind against pupils or staff. Complaints/grievances about bullying or harassment will be fully investigated and disciplinary action taken as appropriate. Please refer to our anti-bullying policy. Gawsworth Primary School will respond positively to complaints and try to learn from them to improve customer service. Complaints need to be made under the School s Complaints Procedures and will be investigated and resolved as per those procedures. Complaints will be monitored by the School leadership team and/or the governing body. 3. MONITORING THE IMPACT OF EQUALITY ACTION Target setting and action planning Each year Gawsworth Primary Schools Senior Leadership Team will develop an action plan with clear targets for implementing the Equality and Diversity Policy. Progress will be monitored and reviewed. The annual Equality and Diversity Action Plan will be considered and endorsed by the governing body in the autumn of each academic year. 4
Monitoring progress The Senior Leadership Team will monitor progress against the actions and targets set out in the annual Equality and Diversity Action Plan. An annual progress report will be made to the governing body. 3.3 Evaluating the impact of equality action We will evaluate the impact of equality action via: teaching and learning observations feedback from students, parents/carers and staff by means of surveys or other measures of attitudes and opinions monitoring and analysis of complaints inspection by Ofsted or other quality assurance bodies. September 2015 5