Equal Opportunities and Racial Equalities Policy

Equal Opportunities Statement

We believe that all human beings should be treated as individuals without regard to beliefs, colour, gender, physical condition, race, religion or social standing. Everyone is entitled to the same courtesies and opportunities. We will ensure that they receive them whilst at Colebrook Infant School.

Prejudice and bias have no place in our school. If expressed they will be discussed and discouraged.

This policy details the ways in which we affirm the above belief.

1          Aims and objectives

Ø      At Colebrook Infant School we promote the principles of fairness and justice for all through the education that we provide in our school.

Ø      We ensure that all pupils have equal access to the full range of educational opportunities provided by the school.

Ø      We constantly strive to remove any forms of indirect discrimination that may form barriers to learning.

Ø      We ensure that all recruitment, employment, promotion and training systems are fair to all, and provide opportunities for everyone to achieve.

Ø      We challenge stereotyping and prejudice whenever it occurs. We are aware that prejudice and stereotyping are caused by low-self image and ignorance. Through positive educational experiences and support for each individual’s point of view, we aim to promote positive social attitudes and respect for all.

Ø      During assemblies, R.E and whenever appropriate we celebrate the cultural diversity of our community and show respect for all minority groups. Books and materials are chosen to give a balanced view of the world, seen from different perspectives, without bias and free from stereotyping.

2.        Anti-racism

Ø      It is the right of all pupils to receive the best education the school can provide, with access to all educational activities organised by the school. We do not tolerate any forms of racism or racist behaviour. Should a racist incident occur, we will act immediately to prevent any repetition of the incident.

Ø      We endeavour to make our school welcoming to all minority groups. So, for example, we will immediately remove any offensive graffiti that we may find in school. We promote an understanding of different cultures through the topics studied by the children, and we reflect this in the displays of work shown around the school.

Ø      Our curriculum reflects the attitudes, values and respect that we have for minority ethnic groups. In the religious education curriculum children study the Muslim faith and the festival of that and other faiths are introduced and valued

Ø      Should anyone at our school be a victim of racism, we will do all we can to support that person in overcoming any difficulties they may have.

Ø      Should there be any racist incidents they will be recorded in the racial incidents book

3.       The role of governors

Ø      The governing body has set out its commitment to equal opportunities in this policy statement, and it will continue to do all it can to ensure that all members of the school community are treated fairly and with equality.

Ø      The governing body seeks to ensure that people with disabilities are not discriminated against when applying for jobs at our school. The governors take all reasonable steps to ensure that the school environment gives access to people with disabilities.

Ø      The governing body seeks to ensure that minority groups are not discriminated against when applying for jobs at our school.

Ø      The governing body will, in its annual report, make reference to arrangements for disabled pupils.

Ø      The governors welcome all applications to join the school, whatever background or disability a child may have.

Ø      The governing body ensures that no child is discriminated against whilst in our school on account of their sex, religion or race.  All children have access to the full range of the curriculum.

4.        The role of the headteacher

Ø      It is the headteacher’s role to implement the school’s equal opportunities and anti-racist policy and s/he is supported by the governing body in so doing.

Ø      It is the headteacher’s role to ensure that all staff are aware of the school policy on equal opportunities, and that teachers apply these guidelines fairly in all situations.

Ø      The headteacher ensures that all appointments panels give due regard to this policy, so that no-one is discriminated against when it comes to employment or training opportunities.

Ø      The headteacher promotes the principle of equal opportunity when developing the curriculum, and promotes respect for other people in all aspects of school life, for example, in the assembly, where respect for other people is a regular theme, and in displays shown around the school.

Ø      The headteacher treats all incidents of unfair treatment and any racist incidents with due seriousness, whether perpetrated by members of the school community or contractors or other providers.

Ø      The headteacher will seek out training for any one who requests it or whom she thinks would benefit from it. 

5          The role of the staff

Ø      The staff ensure that all pupils are treated fairly, equally and with respect. We do not discriminate against any child.

Ø      When selecting classroom material, staff pay due regard to the sensitivities of all members of the class and do not provide material that is racist or sexist in nature. Staff strive to provide material that gives positive images of ethnic minorities and that challenges stereotypical images of minority groups.

Ø      Staff will support children for whom English is an additional language

Ø      All our staff challenge any incidents of prejudice or racism. We record any serious incidents in the racial incidents book, and draw them to the attention of the headteacher. Teachers support the work of ancillary and support staff and encourage them to intervene in a positive way against any occurrence of discrimination.

6          Monitoring and review

Ø      It is the responsibility of our governing body to monitor the effectiveness of this Equal Opportunities policy. The governing body does this by:

·                    monitoring the staff appointment process, so that no-one applying for a post at this school is discriminated against;

·                    requiring the headteacher to report to governors on an annual basis on the effectiveness of this policy;

·                    taking into serious consideration any complaints regarding equal opportunity issues from parents, staff or pupils;

·                    monitoring the school behaviour policy and exclusions, so those pupils from minority groups are not unfairly treated.

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