Public Sector Equality Duty 2023
EQUALITY
Our Equality Policy states 'Everyone is equal and we treat each other with dignity and respect. Our school is a place where everyone should be able to flourish in a loving and hospitable community.Each person in all their unique difference should be able to thrive, irrespective of physical appearance, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, socio-economic background, academic ability, disablity, sexual orientation or gender identity.'
We encourage our children to demonstrate these values beyond our school community and to challenge inequality and unfairness wherever they encounter it.
SMART targets:
1 - We will eliminate discrimination by ensuring all children are welcomed to Ford school and all possible efforts made to remove barriers to learning and activities. Jigsaw PSHE focuses on celebrating difference and boosting self-esteem to appreciate all our gifts.
2- Advance equality of opportunity - by ensuring all Clubs are for all children regardless of protected characteristics. We provide additional transport and free music lessons for children on Free school meals, and to refugess to ensure they can participate fully in extra-curricular opportunities.
3- We foster good relations between people - for example by inviting pupils from the local Grove Special school to work alongside our pupils in the Forest, by working with local Care Homes and invite older residents to attend performances.
BRITISH VALUES
The DfE have reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”
The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. Within our school these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
The pupils at Hugh Joicey have a strong voice in our school. We have an active School Council that meets regularly. Our School Council discuss a wide range of issues and have choice and a say in how school events are organised, such as our fund raising days for charity. Our School Council also have a strong role to play in supporting the excellent standards of behaviour in our school.
The Rule of Law
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school Acts of Worship. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it is through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
As a Church school respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Hugh Joicey is situated in an area which is not greatly culturally diverse, therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Our RE and PSHE teaching and our daily collective worship reinforce the teaching and tolerance of other faiths. We endeavour to give our children as much experience as possible of the wider world through visits to cities and visits from other schools.
At Hugh Joicey we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.
