As a Rights Respecting School we believe that our children have the rights to...

Promoting the Protected Characteristics at Freegrounds Infant School.

At Freegrounds Infant School we believe that all pupils and members of staff should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential whatever their background, identity and circumstance. We are committed to creating a community that recognises and celebrates difference within a culture of respect and cooperation. We appreciate that a culture which promotes equality in relation to all protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation) will create a positive environment and a shared sense of belonging for all who work, learn and use the services of our school.

At Freegrounds Infant School, we ensure that our children are given opportunities to develop age-appropriate knowledge and understanding through a well-planned and delivered curriculum.   We believe that children should be able to recognise themselves and their circumstances so they can see their lived experiences validated and valued. 

We tackle discrimination through the positive promotion of equality, by challenging bullying and stereotypes and by creating an environment which champions respect for all.  Our commitment to equality and diversity is a fundamental part of our drive towards excellence.

We recognise that equality will only be achieved by the whole school community working together – our learners, staff, governors and parents in particular.

We work to ensure that our children understand that:

• There are no outsiders at Freegrounds Infant School

• Everyone is different

• We celebrate our differences

• We are all equal in our differences
   
  The Equality Act became law in 2010. It covers everyone in Britain and protects people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Everyone in Britain is protected. This is because the Equality Act protects people against discrimination because of the protected characteristics that we all have.
   
  Under the Equality Act, there are nine Protected Characteristics:

• Age

• Disability

• Gender reassignment

• Race

• Religion or belief

• Marriage or civil partnership

• Sex

• Sexual orientation

• Pregnancy and maternity
   
   
  Under the Equality Act you are protected from discrimination:

• When you are in the workplace

• When you use public services like healthcare (for example, visiting your doctor or local hospital) or education (for example, at your school or college)

• When you use businesses and other organisations that provide services and goods (like shops, restaurants, and cinemas)

• When you use transport

• When you join a club or association (for example, your local rugby club)

• When you have contact with public bodies like your local council or government departments

Diversity

On the afternoon of 11th November we had a diversity buddy afternoon.  The focus of this is to raise the children’s awareness of the differences that exist in our society.  It also linked beautifully with our PSHE SCARF theme for the half term ‘Valuing differences’.  

Each teacher got a new group of children representing all 3 year groups. It was a great opportunity for the children to mix and work together.

We started the session by sharing a diversity PowerPoint and engaging in some discussions about how we are all the same and different.  We linked it directly to Nick the Ninja and their right to express their feelings, meet with others and an education.  Also, our SMSC characters Simon and Carla.  We referred explicitly to the British value of mutual respect, individual liberty and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs too. 

Following the discussions, the children completed 2 squares. 1 white one with a self-portrait and a coloured one with a picture identifying something that makes them unique.