Equality at St Mark's

The equality act of 2010 replaced nine major Acts of Parliament dealing with equality and discrimination. The act applies to all maintained, independent and free schools, as well as academies.

Everything that a school does must be fair, non discriminatory and must not put individuals or groups of people at a disadvantage. Schools must not discriminate harass or victimise a pupil or potential pupil in relation to:

Admissions
The way it provides education for pupils
How it provides pupils access to any benefit, facility or service
Excluding a pupil or subjecting them to any other detriment.

Actions and behaviours that are unlawful:

Direct discrimination
Indirect discrimination
Failing to make reasonable adjustments for disable pupils or staff
Discrimination arising from disability
Harassment related to a protected characteristic
Victimisation of someone because they have made, or helped with a complaint about discrimination.

Brunel Academies Trust Equality and Diversity Statement

Public Sector Equality Duty

Since April 2011 schools have also been bound by a part of the equality Act 2010 called the Public Sector Equality Duty. The equality duty replaces the previous three sets of duties on schools to promote disability, gender and race equality through having equality policies and actions for these three groups.

Schools are required to have due regard to the need to:

Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
Advance equality of opportunity
Foster good relations
To publish information to show how they are complying with the Equality Duty. This must be updated at least annually.
To prepare and publish one or more specific and measurable equality objective at least every four years.