Equality

Equality

At Fender Primary School, we are proud to be an inclusive, community-focused school that values every child and adult as an individual. Our ethos is rooted in equity, respect and belonging, and we are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all members of our school community, regardless of race, gender, disability, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background or family structure.

We are fully committed to the principles of the Equality Act 2010 and actively work to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between all members of our school and wider community.

Our Core Commitments

  • We believe that every child should be safe, seen, heard and valued.
  • We are proactive in removing barriers to participation, learning and achievement.
  • We recognise and celebrate diversity as a strength.
  • We are committed to developing children’s understanding of justice, equity and human rights.
  • We ensure that all policies, practices and procedures reflect our commitment to inclusion and equality.
  • Our curriculum is rooted in the concept of reflecting realities whilst also opening windows to the lives and experiences of others.

Equality Objectives Statement

Updated: September 2025

At Fender Primary School, we are proud to be an inclusive, community-focused school that values every child and adult as an individual. Our ethos is rooted in equality, respect and belonging, and we are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all members of our school community, regardless of race, gender, disability, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background or family structure.

We are fully committed to the principles of the Equality Act 2010 and actively work to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between all members of our school and wider community.

Our Core Commitments

  • We believe that every child should be safe, seen, heard and valued.
  • We are proactive in removing barriers to participation, learning and achievement.
  • We recognise and celebrate diversity as a strength.
  • We are committed to developing children’s understanding of justice, equality and human rights.
  • We ensure that all policies, practices and procedures reflect our commitment to inclusion and equality.
  • Our curriculum is rooted in the concept of reflecting realities whilst also opening windows to the lives and experiences of others.

Equality Objectives (2025–2029)

1. Promote Inclusive Language, Curriculum and Representation

  • Review and develop our curriculum to ensure it reflects diverse voices, histories and cultures.
  • Ensure positive representation of different identities in books, displays, assemblies and learning materials.
  • Assemblies are used to actively promote diversity through the discussion of inspirational figures from a variety of backgrounds.
  • Train staff on inclusive language, unconscious bias, and intersectionality.
  • Ensure oracy is used as a tool to celebrate and champion language, dialect and accent.
  • Ensure the literature around school reflects the realities of our children and community, whilst also shining lights and opening windows to new experiences, cultures and backgrounds.

2. Champion Anti-Racism and Challenge Discrimination

  • Maintain and build upon our anti-racism work, including pupil-led initiatives and whole-school training.
  • Provide ongoing CPD for staff to identify and challenge all forms of discrimination.
  • Log, monitor and respond robustly to incidents of racism or discriminatory behaviour, in line with our behaviour policy.
  • Promote allyship and anti-racist practice across the curriculum.

3. Ensure Equality of Access and Participation

  • Actively support the full inclusion of pupils with SEND, English as a second language and those from disadvantaged backgrounds in all aspects of school life.
  • Monitor and reduce any gaps in attendance, achievement and enrichment participation.
  • Continue to offer subsidised access to trips, clubs and uniform to reduce financial barriers.

4. Inclusive Uniform Policy

  • Maintain a gender-neutral uniform policy that allows all pupils to dress in line with their identity and comfort.
  • Ensure our uniform options reflect cultural, religious and sensory considerations.
  • Engage regularly with parents and pupils to review uniform policy and ensure it continues to reflect our values of equality and inclusion.
  • Cost effective?

5. Strengthen Pupil Voice and Belonging

  • Ensure that all children feel represented, valued and included within school life.
  • Create regular forums for pupil voice, including the School Council, Eco Council. Equalities Ambassadors and Well-Being Ambassadors.
  • Use oracy-rich assemblies to promote student voice.
  • Gather feedback from underrepresented groups and take action based on their lived experiences.

6. Inclusive Recruitment and Staff Development

  • Commit to inclusive recruitment practices and strive for a diverse staff team at all levels.
  • Provide training for all staff on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), with specific focus on inclusive classroom practice.

Monitoring and Evaluation

These objectives are monitored by the Headteacher and Governing Body and form part of our school improvement planning cycle. Progress will be reviewed annually and shared with the wider community. We will use data, stakeholder feedback and lived experience to adapt and strengthen our actions.

Signed:

Headteacher: C. HEWITT

Chair of Governors: P. DEALASELLE

Date: 24.07.2025