Equality duty for schools
An equality policy demonstrates transparently how schools comply with their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010. Good equality and diversity practices make sure that the way we work with people is fair and accessible to everyone. An Equality Policy is a useful way for schools to set out their vision and values. Equality policies ensure that:
· People are treated as equals.
· People have the dignity and respect they deserve.
· Difference is celebrated.
If you have any questions, or would like some specific guidance / support when using the walkthrough, please feel free to contact the ESCC Children’s Services Equalities Team.
Our Specific Duties
The Equality Act 2010 introduced specific duties, which require schools to publish:
· Information showing how they are meeting the Public Sector Equality Duty
· Equality information annually
· Equality objective(s) every four years (one or more equality objectives as is proportionate to the organisation)
These can be published on a page of your website or in a relevant document - like a business plan or annual report. Importantly, they should be easy to find. What information to publish, and what or how many objectives to set, has not been prescribed. However, equality objectives should be:
· Specific and measurable
· Proportionate to the size of the school
· Support your own School Improvement Plan
The ‘Equality Objectives template’ [40.3 KB] [docx]is available to support with writing equality objectives.
Schools with less than 150 employees don't have to publish information about employees. For the great majority of schools, only pupil-related data will need to be published. You may still wish to collect staff data to understand the impact of your policies and practices on your employees.
The Public Sector Equality Duty:
The Public Sector Equality Duty requires schools and other public bodies to have ‘due regard’ to the need to:
1. Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act.
2. Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
3. Foster good relations between people who share protected characteristics and those who do not.
Having ‘due regard’ means to consciously think about the three aims of the public sector equality duty when making decisions and in day-to-day activities.
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Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder engagement is an important part of developing an equality policy. Stakeholders are the people who will be affected by the equality policy. This can include:
· Children and young people
· Staff
· Families
· The local community and future families attending the school
The 'Stakeholder Engagement: Equality Policy for Schools' document provides additional information to support.
Stakeholder Engagement [46.4 KB] [docx]
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Model Equality Policy
The model equality policy is designed to support schools to develop a policy that reflects their ethos, values and vision, and supports schools to meet their statutory equality duty. It includes prompts and guidance to support with filling in each segment.
The model splits the equality policy into 2 sections:
- Introduction, which includes space to share:
a) an overview of your school’s vision, ethos and values,
b) information about your school and its equality data,
c) space to outline the aims and objectives of the policy,
d) connections to other whole school policies (e.g., safeguarding).
2. Our School’s Equality Policy, the main section of the policy
This section demonstrates:
a) how different groups of people have been involved in developing the equality policy,
b) what is currently taking place to support the school meet its equality objectives,
c) how the policy will be maintained, and who is responsible for the equality objectives.
d) how the equality policy connects with other school policies (e.g., safeguarding)
e) what to do if something goes wrong, and where.
