Equality
At Pinehurst Primary School, equality and inclusion are not add-ons – they are central to who we are.
At Pinehurst Primary School, we believe that every child and every member of our school community has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect. Inclusion and equality are at the heart of our school values and guide everything we do.
As a school, we follow the Equality Act 2010, which places a legal duty on public organisations, including schools, to promote equality and prevent discrimination. Below, we explain how we do this.
Our Commitment to Equality and Inclusion
We are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all pupils, staff, parents and carers, regardless of:
race or ethnicity
gender or gender identity
disability or special educational needs
religion or belief
sexual orientation
age
family or socio-economic background
We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, feels safe, and can take part fully in school life. We believe that diversity is a strength and should be celebrated.
What We Aim to Achieve
Together, we work towards:
a shared vision and values
a strong sense of belonging for everyone
fair and similar life chances for all children
positive relationships between different groups and communities
We want Pinehurst Primary School to be a happy, safe and supportive place, where children enjoy learning, achieve their best and respect both themselves and others.
Our Aims Under the Equality Act
We meet our responsibilities under the Public Sector Equality Duty by working to:
Prevent discrimination, harassment and unfair treatment
Promote equality of opportunity for people with protected characteristics
Build positive relationships between different groups within our school community
Who Is Responsible?
Governors
Our Governing Body:
makes sure equality is clearly reflected in school policies
regularly reviews how well we are promoting equality
works to remove physical or environmental barriers to inclusion
supports the Headteacher in leading this work
Headteacher
Our Headteacher:
promotes understanding of equality across the school
ensures the curriculum reflects diversity and inclusion
puts support in place for pupils or groups who may need extra help
monitors systems that help reduce inequality
Teaching and Support Staff
Our staff:
teach a fair, balanced and inclusive curriculum
support all children to make good progress from their starting points
create a caring, respectful classroom environment
work closely with parents and external professionals when needed
Pupils
Our children are:
taught to respect and celebrate differences
encouraged to include and support one another
shown how to report and challenge unkind behaviour
How We Prevent Discrimination
All staff receive training on equality and inclusion
Equality is considered in all relevant school policies
Bullying and discrimination are not tolerated
There is a named staff member and a governor responsible for equality matters
Any concerns are taken seriously and acted upon
Supporting Equal Opportunities
We support equality by:
identifying and reducing barriers to learning or participation
providing tailored support for pupils with SEND or additional needs
tracking pupil progress carefully to identify gaps
working with external professionals (e.g. therapists, health services, counselling services)
ensuring all pupils can take part in trips, clubs and activities
Promoting Understanding and Respect
We foster positive relationships by:
teaching about different cultures, religions and backgrounds through the curriculum
using assemblies and PSHE lessons to promote British Values and respect
sharing books and stories from a wide range of cultures
working with the local community and inviting visitors into school
supporting pupil voice through groups such as School Council
encouraging empathy and understanding of disadvantaged or marginalised groups
Equality in School Decisions
When planning trips, activities or changes, we always consider equality. For example, we check whether activities:
clash with religious festivals
are accessible for children with disabilities
offer suitable facilities for all genders
Equality considerations are recorded alongside risk assessments to ensure nothing is overlooked.
Monitoring and Review
Equality information is reviewed at least once a year
This statement is reviewed and approved annually by governors
Feedback from pupils, parents and staff helps inform improvements
Equality for Staff
We follow Local Authority guidance to ensure fair recruitment, training and promotion. All staff have the right to:
a safe and respectful working environment
equal access to career development
be treated fairly regardless of age or experience
Admissions and Exclusions
Admissions are fair and transparent
We do not discriminate on any protected grounds
Any exclusions follow our Behaviour Policy and Equality Act requirements
Related School Policies
This information links with our:
Equality Policy
SEND Policy
Accessibility Plan
Child Protection Policy
Anti-Bullying Policy
PSHE (including Relationships and Sex Education) Policy
If you would like to discuss equality, inclusion or SEND support further, please contact the school office to speak to the SENDCo or a member of the leadership team.