Equality Objectives

Priestley Smith School is committed to the rights of the child as outlined in the UN Convention and is working towards Rights Respecting Schools Gold award. This belief influences everything the school does and impacts upon all our policies.

Article 2 The Convention applies to every child without discrimination, whatever their ethnicity, sex, religion, language, abilities or any other status, whatever they think or say, whatever their family background.
Article 12 Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously. This right applies at all times, for example during immigration proceedings, housing decisions or the child’s day-to-day home life.
Article 13 Every child must be free to express their thoughts and opinions and to access all kinds of information, as long as it is within the law.
Article 14 Every child has the right to think and believe what they choose and also to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Article 28 Every child has the right to an education.
Article 30 Every child has the right to learn and use the language, customs and religion of their family, whether or not these are shared by the majority of the people in the country where they live.
Article 31 Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities

Whatever the nature of the local community, our students are growing up in a wider multicultural and multiracial society where they are subject to various attitudes towards minority groups, certain images of these groups portrayed by the media and their own unconscious bias. The school’s Equality Objectives should be read in conjunction with the SEND Policy and the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Ethos:

The School stands against all forms of discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability or ability.

This is achieved through the following objectives:

Promotion of cultural understanding and awareness of different religious beliefs between different ethnic groups within our school community
Monitoring and promotion of the involvement of all groups of students in the extra-curricular life of the school, including leadership opportunities, especially students with special educational needs and disabilities.
Actively close gaps in attainment and achievement between students and all groups of students; especially students eligible for free-school meals, students with special educational needs and disabilities, looked after children and students from minority ethnic groups.
Continue to improve accessibility across the school for students, staff and visitors with disabilities, including access to specialist teaching areas.
Endeavour to ensure diversity in the staff body and in leadership roles.
Reduce the incidence of the use of racist, homophobic, biphobic, transphobic and sexist language by students in the school.
Review relevant school policies to ensure they clearly reflect the aim of inclusivity