Public Sector Equality Duty

Priestley Smith School is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and meeting its obligations under the Equality Act 2010. As a Rights Respecting School, we are guided by the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and ensure that all pupils are treated with dignity, respect and fairness.

In carrying out our functions, we have due regard to the need to:

Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
Foster good relations between different groups within our school community.

How We Comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty

Priestley Smith School demonstrates compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty by:

Maintaining an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and reviewing relevant policies regularly.
Monitoring pupil attainment, progress, attendance, behaviour and participation to identify and address any disparities between groups.
Providing appropriate support and reasonable adjustments for pupils, staff and visitors with disabilities.
Ensuring that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities have equitable access to learning, enrichment activities and leadership opportunities.
Promoting understanding, respect and tolerance through assemblies, curriculum delivery, enrichment activities and the school ethos.
Recording and responding appropriately to incidents of prejudice-related bullying, discrimination or harassment.
Consulting and listening to pupils through school councils, pupil voice activities and other forums.
Providing staff training to support inclusive practice and awareness of equality and diversity issues.
Working closely with families and external agencies to remove barriers to participation and achievement.
Continuing to develop accessibility across the school site in line with the Accessibility Plan.

This information was reviewed in September 2026 and will be reviewed annually.

Equality Objectives 2024-2028
Our equality objectives are:
1. Promote cultural understanding and awareness of different religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds within our school community.
2. Monitor and promote the participation of all groups of pupils in the extracurricular life of the school, including leadership opportunities, particularly pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
3. Reduce gaps in attainment and achievement between groups of pupils, especially disadvantaged pupils, pupils with SEND, looked after children and pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds.
4. Continue to improve accessibility across the school for pupils, staff and visitors with disabilities.
5. Promote equality of opportunity in recruitment, retention and professional development for all staff.
6. Reduce the incidence of racist, homophobic, biphobic, transphobic, sexist and other discriminatory language and behaviour.
7. Review school policies regularly to ensure they reflect and support inclusion and equality for all.