(to be read in conjunction with our Equal Opportunities Policy)
The Equality Act (2010) was introduced to ensure protection from discrimination, harassment, and victimisation on the grounds of specific characteristics (referred to as protected characteristics). This means that it is unlawful to discriminate against students/staff or treat them less favourably because of their gender; race, disability; religion or belief; gender reassignment; sexual orientation; pregnancy or maternity; marriage or civil partnership or age.
North Oxfordshire Academy is committed to meeting its duties and acknowledges that we have a statutory duty that includes the following key principles:
- To eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, and victimisation
- To promote equality of access and opportunity within our school and within our wider community.
- To Promote positive attitudes to difference and good relationships between people with different backgrounds, genders, cultures, faiths, abilities and ethnic origins.
We aim to be an inclusive academy which provides and champions equal opportunities through all aspects of our work and activities.
We remain committed to ensuring equality of education and opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents, and carers, irrespective of race, gender, disability, belief, religion or socio-economic background.
The Senior Leadership Team and Local Governing Body continually review the progress we are making to meet our duties with regard to the protected groups under the Equality Act (2010).
Our Equality Objectives for 2025-2026 are as follows:
- To use performance data to monitor student achievement and respond to variations between groups of learners, subjects, courses and key stages, trends over time and comparisons with other schools.
- To raise awareness of the diversity in our student and staff population through a range of activities including our PSHE programme.
- To raise awareness of the need to tackle sexist behaviour and misogyny.
- To raise the awareness and skills of staff to promote fairness and equality in the context of their role.
- To provide an environment that welcomes, protects, and respects people from all backgrounds, genders, cultures, faiths, abilities, and ethnic origins.
- To ensure that all students are given opportunities to make a positive contribution to school life.
- To recognise and celebrate cultural events through assemblies and the curriculum, and to increase student awareness of issues experienced by different communities.
Equal Opportunities Policy