Equality and Public Sector Equality Duty
Our commitment to equality
At West Heath Primary School, we are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for every member of our school community. We want all pupils, staff, parents, carers and visitors to feel welcome, valued and respected.
We aim to provide an inclusive environment in which everyone is able to participate fully in school life and achieve their potential. We recognise that people have different needs and circumstances, and we work to identify and remove barriers that may result in disadvantage or inequality.
Our approach to equality is embedded within our school values, curriculum, policies, procedures and everyday practice.
The Public Sector Equality Duty
Under the Equality Act 2010, schools have a Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).
In carrying out our functions, we have due regard to the need to:
- Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010.
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
- Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
We consider these duties when developing and reviewing our policies, making decisions and planning our provision.
Protected characteristics
The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination in relation to the following characteristics:
- age;
- disability;
- gender reassignment;
- marriage and civil partnership;
- pregnancy and maternity;
- race;
- religion or belief;
- sex; and
- sexual orientation.
We recognise that some protected characteristics have particular relevance in a primary school setting. However, we give appropriate consideration to equality across our whole school community.
How we meet the Public Sector Equality Duty
1. Eliminating discrimination
We are committed to creating an environment in which discrimination, harassment and victimisation are not tolerated.
We seek to achieve this by:
- ensuring that our policies and procedures reflect our responsibilities under the Equality Act;
- promoting respectful and inclusive behaviour;
- challenging discrimination, prejudice and inappropriate behaviour;
- ensuring staff and governors understand their responsibilities in relation to equality;
- providing equality information and training for new staff as part of their induction;
- providing refresher training for staff;
- making reasonable adjustments for pupils and staff where these are required; and
- responding appropriately to concerns about discrimination or unequal treatment.
Our approach is supported through related policies covering areas such as safeguarding, behaviour, anti-bullying, SEND, the curriculum and accessibility.
2. Advancing equality of opportunity
We want every child to have the opportunity to succeed, participate and feel that they belong within our school community.
We recognise that treating everyone fairly does not always mean treating everyone in exactly the same way. Some pupils or members of staff may require additional support or reasonable adjustments to remove barriers and enable them to participate fully.
We advance equality of opportunity by:
- identifying and seeking to remove or minimise disadvantages experienced by particular individuals or groups;
- considering individual needs and making reasonable adjustments where appropriate;
- providing appropriate support for pupils with additional needs and disabilities;
- monitoring pupil attainment and outcomes to help us identify differences between groups;
- taking appropriate action when our monitoring identifies inequalities or barriers;
- encouraging all pupils to participate in the wider life of the school, including clubs, activities and leadership opportunities; and
- regularly considering the accessibility of our school environment and provision.
3. Fostering good relations
We want our pupils to understand and respect the diverse society in which they are growing up.
Our curriculum provides opportunities for children to learn about different people, cultures, religions, beliefs and experiences. This work takes place across the curriculum, including through RE, PSHE, English and reading, as well as through assemblies and wider school activities.
We also foster good relations by:
- promoting respect, tolerance, friendship and understanding;
- providing opportunities for pupils from different year groups and backgrounds to work together;
- encouraging all children to participate in school activities;
- giving pupils opportunities to contribute to school life, including through our school council;
- working positively with our parents, carers and local community; and
- drawing on appropriate external organisations and people with specialist knowledge to enrich children's understanding.
Equality in our decision-making
We consider our equality responsibilities when making significant decisions and when planning activities.
For example, when organising educational visits and school activities, consideration is given to matters such as:
- accessibility for pupils with disabilities or additional needs;
- religious observances and significant religious dates;
- whether reasonable adjustments are required; and
- whether pupils have equitable opportunities to participate.
Where necessary, plans are adapted to help remove barriers to participation.
Equality and accessibility considerations also form part of our approach to risk assessment and planning.
Our Equality Objectives
Our equality objectives reflect the needs and circumstances of our school community and support us in making practical, measurable improvements.
Objective 1: Reasonable adjustments for staff with disabilities
To ensure that appropriate reasonable adjustment agreements are in place for staff with disabilities and are reviewed at least annually.
We recognise that people's individual circumstances and needs differ.
We will work with staff to identify appropriate reasonable adjustments. Depending upon individual circumstances, these might include adjustments to equipment, the working environment or working arrangements.
Through this objective we aim to ensure that members of staff with disabilities are appropriately supported and that barriers or disadvantages are identified and addressed.
During 2026/27 we will:
- identify where reasonable adjustment agreements are required;
- ensure appropriate agreements are in place;
- review existing arrangements with relevant members of staff;
- consider whether adjustments continue to meet individual needs; and
- respond to changing needs and circumstances.
Objective 2: Accessibility
To ensure that our Accessibility Plan remains up to date and is regularly reviewed so that it continues to reflect the needs of our pupils and staff.
Accessibility needs can change as pupils and staff join or leave the school and as individual circumstances develop. We therefore recognise the importance of continually reviewing our environment rather than considering accessibility as a one-off exercise.
During 2026/27 we will:
- review our Accessibility Plan;
- monitor the needs of pupils and staff in relation to access to our school site and buildings;
- identify potential barriers to participation;
- make reasonable adjustments where appropriate;
- consider opportunities to improve physical accessibility; and
- seek appropriate funding where significant physical improvements to the building or site are required.
Monitoring our progress
Our equality work is not limited to the publication of this statement.
During the 2026/27 academic year, we will continue to monitor our progress and consider whether our actions are having the intended impact.
The Headteacher is responsible for promoting knowledge and understanding of our equality objectives amongst staff and pupils and for monitoring progress towards them.
Our Governing Body provides oversight of our approach to equality and monitors the school's work in this area.
All members of staff have a responsibility to support our commitment to equality and inclusion through their professional practice.
Our published equality information is reviewed and updated at least annually, and our equality objectives are reviewed and updated at least every four years.
Related policies and information
Our commitment to equality should be read alongside other relevant school policies and plans, including our:
- Equality Information and Objectives Policy
- Accessibility Plan
- SEND Policy
- Anti-Bullying Policy
- Behaviour Policy
- Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
- Curriculum Policy
- PSHE Policy
Copies of relevant policies are available on our school website.
Publication information
Equality information reviewed: October 2026
Academic year: 2026/27
Current Equality Information and Objectives Procedure: September 2024 to September 2027
Next annual equality information update: October 2027
