Equality and Diversity at Wilson Stuart

The Equality Act 2010 requires us to publish information that demonstrates that we have
due regard for the need to:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other
  conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010
• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected
  characteristic and people who do not share it
• Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and
  people who do not share it.
• Wilson Stuart School 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.
  This includes students, staff, families, the wider community and external stakeholders.
  We believe that the Equality Act 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 the following key principles:
  
  
• To increase access to the curriculum for students with a disability, expanding the
  curriculum as necessary to ensure our students with a disability are as equally prepared
  for life as able-bodied students. Our work on the ‘Preparing for adulthood agenda’
  aims to go some way in providing students with the tools to succeed.
• To maintain and where required, to improve access to the physical environment of
  the school for all staff and students.
• To improve the delivery of information to students, staff, parents/carers and visitors with
  disabilities.
  
  Summary
  
  There has never been a more important time for teaching and promoting equality and
  diversity in Britain’s classrooms. Out of over 13 million registered disabled people
  currently living in the U.K., 800,000 are children under the age of 16.
  
  With the U.K.’s non-British population estimated to include around 6.1 million people in
  2018, over 14% of the country’s population are classed as foreign nationals. Six different
  religions are being practised by various ethnic groups spread across Britain, and 18
  ethic groups are recommended for use by the UK government.
  
  Statistics in 2017 revealed that over 1.1 million U.K. residents over the age of 16 identified
  as LGBT, which equates to almost 2% of the overall population.
  In a society so varied in terms of race, disability, and sexual orientation, equality and
  diversity must be promoted throughout U.K. schools including Wilson Stuart.
  What is Equality and Diversity?
  
  Equality and diversity is the idea behind accepting and promoting people’s
  differences. The fundamental goal when promoting equality is to raise awareness within
  the school and wider community and make sure that all individuals are treated equally
  and fairly. This is regardless of their age, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or
  race to name but a few.
  
  At Wilson Stuart we use a wide range of activities to help our students recognise and
  respect peoples differences in an effort to create a fully inclusive atmosphere.
  At Wilson Stuart the aim is to create an inclusive classroom environment which is a safe
  place without any prejudice where students have the opportunity to thrive and be
  themselves. Successfully teaching and raising awareness of diversity works to highlight
  individual characteristics and traits that make people unique rather than different.
  
  Our young people need to have an understanding of equality and human rights. This
  knowledge helps them to understand how they should be treated and how to treat
  others. By promoting equality and diversity we are also continuing to instill the core
  values outlined at Wilson Stuart (CIRCLE) and help our students to value relationships
  and make positive decisions
  
  At Wilson Stuart we believe that:
  
• All students are equal regardless of their religious beliefs, sexual orientation, race,
  gender, and gender identity and disability. It is important to note though that not all
  students will be treated in the same way as some students may need additional
  support but students should have an awareness of this.
• Differences should be respected, recognised, and valued because diversity is a
  good thing and should be celebrated.
• Positive relationships and attitudes should be embedded throughout the school as
  part of our CIRCLE values.
• A shared sense of belonging and inclusion should be encouraged in the classroom
  with students supporting each other where possible.
• All staff should have the highest expectations for all our students and have a ‘can
  do attitude’ which is shared across the whole school.
• Stereotyping and prejudice should be challenged
  To promote equality and diversity at Wilson Stuart we will strive to:
• Challenge any negative attitudes amongst students.
• Avoid stereotypes in curricular resources and examples.
• Set clear rules regarding how people treat each other.
• Treat all students and staff equally and fairly.
• Create an all-inclusive environment for students and staff.
• Actively use resources that have multicultural themes.
• Work to promote multiculturalism in lessons across the curriculum
• Create engaging lessons that reflect and promote diversity in the classroom.
   Make sure that all students have equal access to participation and opportunities.
• Use a variety of assessment methods.
• Use a range of teaching methods.
• Ensure that all procedures and policies are non-discriminatory.
• Make sure that classroom materials never discriminate against anyone and are
  accessible to all even if this means adapting to audio, large print, or video.
  Our PSHE curriculum plays a significant role in promoting and evidencing the
  importance of Equality and Diversity but it is important that this is considered across the
  curriculum and across all subject areas within it