Protected Characteristics
As a church school, St Andrew's aims to develop its religious character taking into account the principles of the Church of England and promotes Christian values through the experience we offer to all our pupils.
We believe that every person in our school community should flourish and broaden their horizons. Therefore, it is the element of 'enrichment’ that defines our school; we are a church school that endeavours to provide the widest of opportunities for all.
Within our caring and nurturing environment and guided by our shared Christian values, we aim to ensure that all voices in our school family can be heard and all are engaged in learning that develops and challenges them, excites their imagination and provides an opportunity to achieve their full potential.
We see everyone and everything as valued in the eyes of God and recognise that all the members of our family are individuals as we work towards a society of mutual respect, compassion and justice.
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
While we may not teach about all the protected characteristics in every year group. The curriculum is planned and delivered so that our pupils develop age appropriate knowledge and understanding.
The 9 Protected Characteristics are actively promoted in school through:
- Our school ethos statements, SIP, and SEF
- Our core Christian values
- Our school behaviour policy
- Conscious role modelling by all adults in the school community
- Active engagement and communication with parents and carers
- Collective Worship
- Picture News
- Discussion within curriculum subjects
- Promoting articulation by building appropriate language and a coherent vocabulary
- Personal, Social, Health Economic and Citizenship education
- Religious Education (RE) lessons
- Pupil Voice
- Educational visits
- School Council
- Extra-curricular activities, after-school clubs, charity work and work within the local community
- Seven Knights Award