Equality Statement

“For there is no difference between you – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call upon Him.” Romans 10

Barrowford St Thomas CE Primary School is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity in line with the Equality Act 2010. We aim to reduce disadvantages, discrimination and inequalities of opportunity, and promote diversity in terms of our pupils, our workforce and the community in which we work.

We will assist our pupils to achieve their full potential. Our school strap line is, ‘With God’s Love we grow’ as we truly believe that every child is a child of God, immensely precious and special and we strive to help them find what makes them extraordinary.  Where pupils experience barriers to their success we will work with them to address these in a sensitive and caring way. We will teach our pupils the importance of equality and what forms discrimination can take and the impact discrimination can have.

We will not discriminate on any of the grounds listed below (known as the Protected Characteristics) save where such discrimination is permitted by law, for example, the school may arrange pupils in classes based on age.

The Protected Characteristics that apply to schools are:

• Age (in relation to staff only);
• Disability;
• Gender re-assignment;
• Marriage and civil partnership (in relation to staff only);
• Pregnancy and Maternity;
• Race;
• Religion Faith or Belief;
• Sex; and
• Sexual orientation.

 As a Governing Body and employer we will also not accept any of the following:

• Direct or Indirect Discrimination;
• Harassment; and
• Victimisation

We will comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty giving due regard to that duty when making decisions, taking actions and developing policies. In line with its specific duties under the Equality Act 2010, we will publish our equality objectives and will publish information about how it is complying with the Public Sector Equality Duty. Published Information will be updated annually and objectives will be updated every four years. This information is available on our website.

Statutory Duties

There are a number of statutory duties that must be met by every school in line with legislation from the Race Relations Act (2000), Disability Equality Duty (2005) and Equality Act (2010).

Barrowford St Thomas CE Primary School is committed to meeting its public sector duties and acknowledges that we have a statutory duty to:

• Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
• Promote equality of access and opportunity within our school and within our wider community.
• Promote positive attitudes to difference and good relationships between people with different backgrounds, genders, cultures, faiths, abilities and ethnic origins.

 The Leadership Team and Governors at Barrowford St Thomas CE Primary School review the progress we are making to meet our equality objectives with regard to the protected characteristics (race, disability, gender, gender re-assignment, age, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, sexual orientation, religion and belief) under the Equality Act (2010).

Next Review: Autumn Term 2022

Equality Objectives (2022 - 2025)

At Barrowford St Thomas CE  Primary School, we are committed to ensuring equality of education and opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents and carers, irrespective of race, gender, disability, sexuality, belief, religion or socio-economic background.

In order to further support pupils, raise standards and ensure inclusive teaching, we have set the following objectives:

• Ensure our children have a stronger understanding of diversity and the diverse society that they live in and will work in, especially as our school is 99% white British. 
• Work alongside schools in our church cluster, with the support of Blackburn Diocese, to promote equality, diversity and justice in our school. 
• Improve the range of resources and materials that reflect the reality of an ethnically, culturally and sexually diverse society without stereotyping, including books for the school library (fiction and non-fiction
• Ensure that the school continues to improve its provision and support for special educational needs and disability
• Ensure our pupils have opportunities to be courageous advocates so that they can detect bias, challenge discrimination, leading to justice and equality; provide training for staff.