Objective

How we will do this

Equality Objective 1 

We will be a fair and equitable school.

• We will take a whole school approach to delivering the plan with an identified lead within the school.

• We will set key equality milestones which will be regularly monitored.

• All key decisions made will have due regards to the Equality Act (2010)

• We will provide progress updates and share good practice examples with the Education Directorate/ Policy & Partnerships team to contribute to the Council’s Strategic Equality Plan 2024-28 Annual Report

Equality Objective 2

We will be a school that champions diversity and inclusion.

• We will ensure recruitment & selection policies outlined by Blaenau Gwent Council are followed and documented.

• We will work with staff to identify appropriate training and support on an ongoing basis.

• Arrange regular staff meetings to ensure there is a whole school approach to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, working together to identify and address key issues.

• We will ensure all staff receive Introduction to Equality & Diversity training which will be documented and monitored.

• We will develop a training programme of support for each academic year to ensure staff receive regular updates on Equality matters

Equality Objective 3

We will create a fair and inclusive learning culture for all children and young people with a focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion.

• We will identify specific training needs for staff to enhance learning for pupils with protected characteristics.

• We will work with Blaenau Gwent Council to monitor pupil attainment and support our pupils to reach their learning ambitions, through appropriate support and guidance.

• We will work with pupils with protected characteristics to ensure that the school continually improves.

• We will analyse data in like with outcome focused equality objectives. For example, if when analysing data on school exclusions, we identify a higher proportion of children with additional learning needs (ALN) than those without ALN, an equality objective could be ‘to reduce the number of children with ALN receiving fixed term exclusions’.

• We will support the delivery of our School Council and identify pupils from year 6 to participate in Children’s Grand Council sessions, ensuring pupil voice.

• We will work with pupils with protected characteristics to continually improve and develop awareness to support better learning outcomes, ensuring a better understanding with staff/pupils as well as working effectively with key partners to support this. (note this is also covered in objective 5)

Equality Objective 4 We will promote and support inclusive, safe and cohesive communities.

• We will operate a zero tolerance to bullying & hate crime within and outside school.

• We will develop a learning culture where bullying and hate crime is understood through classroom-based activities, specific assembly sessions and celebrate commemorative days such as Holocaust Memorial, Black History Month, LGBTQ+ History month etc. to celebrate, share, learn and raise awareness. (using equality campaigns calendar)

• We will report all incidents of bullying using “My Concerns” and develop interventions with the pupils/families to educate and support.

• We will actively listen to pupils and parents around concerns raised from within and outside school to take appropriate action when required.

• We will work with partners/agencies to deliver training within school to support learning for staff and pupils.

• We will celebrate diversity & culture through exploration and learning.

Equality Objective 5 We will ensure effective engagement and participation for people with protected characteristics.

• We will work with pupils and parents to raise awareness and understanding of protected characteristics through classroom-based activities and wider community engagement.

• Through engagement and classroom-based activities we explore similarities and differences to bring pupils and communities together.

• We will work with pupils with protected characteristics to continually improve and develop awareness to support better learning outcomes, ensuring a better understanding as well as working effectively with key partners to support this.

• We will look to develop support groups within school to support those with protected characteristics- (Equality Voice Groups, LGBTQ+ support, cultural diversity etc.)

Equality Objective 6 We will strive to reduce inequality caused by poverty

• We will work with partners/agencies to deliver key programmes that will support those with protected characteristics to tackle inequality.

• We will ensure that as a school those affected are supported to learn through identified support/interventions and/or learning materials/equipment they may need to reach their learning potential.

• We will link with the Blaenau Gwent ‘Christmas Toy Appeal’ for identified vulnerable children and young people.

• We will promote Cost-of-Living support schemes e.g. Council Tax discounts and reductions, winter fuel payments, foodbanks, and school uniform grants etc.

• We will consider the Children in Wales’s Child Poverty Report’s findings.