Equality Objectives

Riverside Primary School recognises that the public sector equality duty has three aims and they are to:

Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct under the Act
Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not
Foster good relations between people who have a shared characteristic and those who do not

Riverside Primary School is committed to promoting equality and diversity, providing an inclusive, caring and supportive environment, which is committed to the promotion of genuine equal opportunities for all. We recognise that every member of the School is regarded as of equal worth and importance, irrespective of their faith, culture, class, race, gender, sexuality and/or disability. The Equal Opportunities, Equality and Diversity statement builds on the core values of the School:

Respect
Resilience
Reciprocity
Reflectiveness
Resourcefulness
Reflection

Equality Objectives 2021-24

Objective	Action	Date
Staff & Governors fully understand the Equality Duty and the school’s responsibility	Staff training day including guest speakers, student speakers, group discussions, department pledges.	January 22
	Governor meeting.	March 22
Increased understanding of the need for positive affirmation of LGBTQ+ staff and students	Staff training day. Governor meeting.	January 22 March 22
Celebrating diversity events together	Harvest World Mental Health Day Black History Month Interfaith Week Diwali International Human Rights Day Christmas LGBTQ+ History Month International Women’s Day World Down Syndrome Day Autism Awareness Month Eid Disabilities Week Diabetes Week Pride Month	September/October 21 October21 October 21 November 21 November 21 December 21 December 21 February 22 March 22 March 22 April 22 May 22 June 22 June 22 June 22
Staff and pupils use appropriate pronouns to support wellbeing	Staff training day. Staff bulletin information. Trust Diversity newsletter.	January 22 December 21 December 21
	PSHE lessons and assemblies. Consistent use of behaviour policy to educate / sanction.	Ongoing
Reducing sexist and LGBTQ+-phobic language & encouraging pupils to be upstanding	PSHE lessons and assemblies. Consistent use of behaviour policy to educate / sanction.	Ongoing
Diverse cultures are valued and understood	Global learning supports pupil understanding of the complex backgrounds of refugees, highlighting issues affecting Ukraine and Afghanistan at an age appropriate level.	Ongoing
Closing the academic gaps for SEND, Pupil Premium, Looked After Children and other vulnerable groups	Wide range of actions – see Development Plan.	Ongoing
Increasing the understanding of mental health	PSHE lessons, assemblies. Mental Health First Aiders and Champions across the school.	Ongoing
Curriculum celebrates diversity and supports an understanding of equality issues	Trust and school work to review. PSHE lessons and assemblies. Mental Health First Aiders and Champions across the school.	Ongoing
Raised awareness and understanding for staff of barriers for colleagues who come from ethnic minority, LGBTQ+, disability or working-class backgrounds and the gifts which these characteristics bring to our school community	Diversity Research Group, sharing learning. Diversity newsletter. Staff training day. PSHE lessons and assemblies. Mental Health First Aiders and Champions across the school.	Ongoing Termly January 22 Ongoing Ongoing
Staff with protected characteristics are supported to identify barriers to progression and enabled to overcome these	Performance management focus on barriers (practical and perceived) to progression.	October 21 and ongoing

Equality Objectives outcomes 2020-21

Objective		Action	Impact
Increased awareness of mental health	High priority within PSHE as pupils manage covid restrictions.		Pupils are supported with their mental health and given strategies to manage their own mental health concerns more effectively.
Pupils are more understanding of diversity and value difference	PSHE lessons and assemblies.		Increased understanding of selves and each other.
Celebrating diversity events together	World Mental Health week Black History Month International Human Rights Day Harvest, Eid, Diwali and Christmas celebrations.		Pupils’ understanding, compassion & affirmation increased.
Pupils’ understanding of the complex background of global events is enhanced. Understanding the impact of covid ‘lockdown’ on families and friends.	‘Covid around the world’ PHSE lessons on relationships and health.		Staff and pupils have an increased understanding of the global situation, and the anxieties of their peers in relation to this.
School is visually represented as a community which includes and values diversity at all levels	Increased use of diverse visuals on school websites, in recruitment materials, in school displays.		Staff and pupils increasingly see themselves as included and valued. Staff are increasingly recognising the opportunity for progression to all levels in the organisation.

For further information, please see:

Equalities Act 2010
Public Sector Equality Duty