Equality and Diversity - The Protected Characteristics

At St Peter's, we are proud of our community. We celebrate different faiths and cultures throughout the year and ensure that all children and members of the comunity are treated with respect and dignity.

St Peter's  Primary School seeks to ensure that no member of our school community, or any person through their contact with the school, will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of perceived or real difference (protected characteristics). These include: race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, marital status, responsibility for children or other dependents, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or age.

We work to ensure that our children understand that:

Everyone is different.

We celebrate our differences.

We are all equal in our differences at St Peter’s

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:

1. Age
2. Disability
3. Gender reassignment
4. Race
5. Religion or belief
6. Marriage or civil partnership
7. Sex
8. Sexual orientation
9. Pregnancy and maternity

St Peter’s actively promotes these in our curriculum and work to embed them into our ethos. 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.

EDUCATION

Our pupils have a rich education that ensures that they are aware that each one of us is an individual and we all have a place in this world. We celebrate and learn about this in many ways. Our 'Understanding Christianity' syllabus covers many cultures and faiths, we have the Koran on display and invite local members of the community into our school to talk about their faith.

Our 'Jigsaw' scheme teaches us about diversity and RSE (Relationships Sex Education) We celebrate Mardi Gras and Pride (see image below) and teach the children that we are all different. Staff have also had training in dealing with pupils who are questioning their gender and place in the world. 

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