Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
Equal opportunities for all
Differences and similarities celebrated
Involved, valued, welcomed and safe
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are the key elements required to ensure a fair and culturally rich society. At the Lighthouse Multi Academy Trust we are totally committed to ensuring that we provide such an environment, so all our children in all our academies are able to thrive and live happy successful lives.
At the Lighthouse Multi Academy Trust we strive to treat each member of our community as an individual; to make each individual feel valued and to teach all our pupils to do the same. Trying to achieve this for all our pupils involves us learning what we all have in common as well as celebrating our many differences. The Lighthouse Multi Academy Trust recognises that children learn best in an environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and welcome in an inclusive way. We believe everyone has the same rights but have individual needs and it is vital to ensure that all aspects of school life are ‘fair’ and appropriate and not necessarily always the same for everyone. As a Trust we work closely will all our academies to ensure equality, diversity and inclusion is at the centre of everything we do.
We ensure our academies teach the children about equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the curriculum, through; regular opportunities in assemblies, school Council meetings, educational visits, visitors and we aim to reflect these values in our day to day interactions with the children.
We ensure our academies:
- Teach children about insults and suitable language and the impact of prejudicial language
- Make every effort to make our playgrounds safe and enjoyable places to be
- Place a high priority on regular training of staff in areas such as first aid and positive handling techniques.
- Value ‘Pupil Voice’ input and their views and opinions are regularly sought in a variety of ways, including through School Council meetings and pupil conversations.
Equality
Equality is all about providing equal opportunities and protecting people from being discriminated against and/or victimised.
Academies/ schools are required to comply with all aspects of the Equality Act 2010, and in April 2011 a single public sector Equality Duty was introduced. The purpose of this is to protect people with the protected characteristics as determined in the Equalities Act 2010. These are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race and culture, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
The Equality Act 2010 requires academies/ schools to publish information to show how we are working to:
- Eliminate discrimination
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
- Foster good relations between groups of people
The protected characteristics – which relate to a primary school are:
- Disability
- Gender questioning
- Gender
- Sexual orientation
- Race
- Religion and belief
Other groups of pupils we believe it is also important to consider are:
- Children Looked After
- Young carers
- Pupils eligible for free school meals or living in poverty
Equality Duty
Under the Equality Act 2010 each academy are required to have an Accessibility Plan. The Lighthouse Multi Academy Trust is committed to ensuring each academy provides an accessible environment that values and includes all pupils, staff, parents and visitors regardless of their education, physical, sensory, social, spiritual, emotional and cultural needs.
Diversity
Diversity is about recognising, accepting and celebrating difference and appreciating that these differences result in a society that is culturally richer and more creative. It also drives innovation and productivity. At the Lighthouse Multi Academy Trust we embrace diversity and celebrate difference. We ensure our academies teach the children that everyone has a valuable contribution to make, and valuable experiences to share.
Inclusion
Inclusion is the means by which diversity is embraced and it gives people in a community a sense of belonging. The Lighthouse Multi Academy Trust fully committed to ensuring our academies achieve the maximum inclusion of all children, whilst meeting their individual needs. This includes vulnerable learners who have Special Educational Needs (SEN), those children that use English as an Additional Language (EAL) and those children with ethnic minority heritage. We ensure our academies provide access to the curriculum for all children and this is achieved through the delivery of differentiated learning opportunities.
For more information please visit the individual academy websites.