Introduction

Sudbourne is an inclusive school where we focus on the well-being and progress of every child and where all members of our community are of equal worth.

We believe that the Equality Act 2010 provides a framework to support our commitment to valuing diversity, tackling discrimination, promoting equality and fostering good relationships between people. It also ensures that we continue to tackle issues of disadvantage and underachievement of different groups.

Our approach to equality is based on 7 key principles:

1. All learners are of equal value. Whether or not they are disabled, whatever their ethnicity, culture, national origin or national status, whatever their gender and gender identity, whatever their religious or non-religious affiliation or faith background and whatever their sexual orientation.
2.  We recognise, respect and value difference and understand that diversity is a strength. We take account of differences and strive to remove barriers and disadvantages which people may face, in relation to disability, ethnicity, gender, religion, belief or faith and sexual orientation.
3.  We foster positive attitudes and relationships. We actively promote positive attitudes and mutual respect between groups and communities different from each other.
4.  We foster a shared sense of cohesion and belonging. We want all members of our school community to feel a sense of belonging within the school and wider community and to feel that they are respected and able to participate fully in school life.
5.  We are committed to providing equality of opportunity for staff. We ensure that policies and procedures benefit all employees and potential employees in all aspects of their work, including in recruitment and promotion, and in continuing professional development
6.  We have the highest expectations of all our children. We expect that all pupils can make good progress and achieve to their highest potential
7.  We work to raise standards for all pupils, but especially for the most vulnerable. We believe that improving the quality of education for the most vulnerable groups of pupils raises standards across the whole school.

Our Equality Objectives for 2021-2026 are

• To narrow the gap in attainment between free school meals pupils and non-free school meals pupils.
• To increase participation of disadvantaged groups in extra-curricular school activities
• To improve the participation and engagement of fathers in school-based activities.

In doing so, we will honour, respect and celebrate the uniqueness of each individual and embrace diverse backgrounds, values, and points of view to build a strong and inclusive school community, to prepare the children for lives in a multicultural local and global society.