Equality

Equality Summary

A new Equality Act began in 2010. This replaced:

• Disability Discrimination Act
• Race Relations Act
• Sex Discrimination Act

The new act gave schools a public sector equality duty (PSED) to advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. There are 8 protected characteristics: race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy and age.

The protected characteristic that concerns predominantly, but not exclusively, to a primary school is disability.

The Equality Act demands that from September 2012 schools and LAs have a duty to supply auxiliary aids and services for disabled students, as reasonable adjustments, where they are not being supplied through SEN plans or from other sources.

What can be classified as a disability?

There is no exhaustive list of conditions that qualify as a disability as the focus is on the effect the impairment has. While some impairments, particularly visible ones, are easy to identify, there are many which are not so immediately obvious. Conditions that can qualify are:

• Autistic Spectrum Disorder
• Dyslexia
• Dyspraxia
• Asthma
• ADHD
• Learning Difficulties
• Mental health conditions including OCD depression, eating disorders, personality disorders and some self-harming

What is a reasonable adjustment?

Where something a school does places a disabled pupil at a disadvantage compared to other pupils then the school must take reasonable steps to try and avoid that disadvantage.

…this will particularly be the case where a disabled child does not have an EHC Plan or where the Plan does not provide the auxiliary aid or service.

At Wroughton Primary Federation, we work very hard to ensure that we fulfill our Public Sector Equality Duty and advance the equality of opportunity of our students.

For a list of reasonable adjustments made please contact Mrs Jan Sayers

Accessibility Plan

This Accessibility Policy and Plan have been drawn up in compliance with current legislation and requirements as specified in Schedule 10, relating to Disability, of the Equality Act 2010, it is structured to complement and support the school’s Equality Objectives, and will similarly be published on the school website. We understand that the Local Authority will monitor the school’s activity under the Equality Act 2010 (and in particular Schedule 10 regarding Accessibility) and will advise upon the compliance with that duty. Whole school training will recognise the need to continue raising awareness for staff and governors on equality issues with reference to the Equality Act 2010.

At the Wroughton Primary Federation our values reflect our commitment to a school where there are high expectations of everyone. Children are provided with high quality learning opportunities so that each child attains and achieves all that they are able to. Everyone in our school is important and included. We promote an ethos of care and trust where every member of our school community feels that they truly belong and are valued. We work hard to ensure there are no invisible children here, recognising everyone’s uniqueness and success. We recognise learning in all its forms and are committed to nurturing lifelong learners.

We are a safe school, committed to improving children's confidence and self-esteem. We know that safe and happy children achieve.

The Equality Act 2010 replaced all existing equality legislation, including the Disability Discrimination Act. The effect of the law is the same as in the past, meaning that “schools cannot unlawfully discriminate against pupils because of sex, race, disability, religion or belief and sexual orientation”.

According to the Equality Act 2010 a person has a disability if:

• He or she has a physical or mental impairment, and
• The impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

The school recognises and values parent’s knowledge of their child’s disability and its effect on their ability to carry out everyday activities and respects the parent’s and child’s right to confidentiality.

The Wroughton Primary Federation’s Accessibility Plan relates to the key aspects of physical environment, curriculum and written information and shows how access is to be improved for disabled pupils, staff and visitors to the school within a given time frame and anticipating the need to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate their needs where practicable.

*Disadvantaged refers to children who receive free school meals (or have in the last 6 years) and children looked after by the Local Authority

If you would like further information on the school’s equalities procedures please contact the SENCO, Mrs Sayers, via the School Office or email