Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
For us at Notley High School & Braintree Sixth Form. We are committed to developing and strengthening equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the school and sixth form. The development and nurture of respect for others is at the heart of all we do at the school. We celebrate the diversity within our community.
In 2024, we were proud to achieve the Silver level in the Pride in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award for the first time. This has included a full review of our policies and practices, staff and student surveys, staff training, training for governors, and training for our student Pride Group.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are built into our taught curriculum across the school, from Design and Technology to Modern Foreign Languages. Celebration events and information sharing events have been built into the school’s calendar. Each classroom, as well as our school Reception, displays posters confirming our school community’s respect for protected characteristics.
Equality, diversity and inclusion is included as a part of our curriculum review and training for staff.
Protected Characteristics
The 9 Protected Characteristics
The Equality Act became law in 2010 and this protects people from discrimination. Under the Equality Act, there are nine Protected Characteristics:
- Disability
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Age
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage or civil partnership
- Sexual orientation
- Pregnancy and maternity
You are protected from discrimination:
- at work
- in education
- as a consumer
- when using public services
- when buying or renting property
- as a member or guest of a private club or association
You are also protected from discrimination if:
- you are associated with someone who has a protected characteristic, for example a family member or friend
- you have complained about discrimination or supported someone else’s claim
The 9 Protected Characteristics are actively promoted at our school through:
- Our core values
- Faculty curriculums
- Our behaviour policy
- Conscious role modelling by all adults in the school community
- Active engagement and communication with parents and carers
- Assemblies
- PDT lessons
- PER lessons
- Tutor activities
- Sporting, Art and Cultural Events, including Notley Aspire
- Educational visits
- Guest speakers
- Developing links with other communities
- Extra-curricular activities
- Charity events
Embedding Protected Characteristics into the whole ethos of Notley High School promotes:
- An understanding of the importance of recognising and combating discrimination
- An increase in self-confidence, self-esteem and self-knowledge
- Responsibility for their own behaviour
- Respect for different cultures
- Understanding of how they can contribute positively to lives of others
- An understanding of Equality, Human Rights and Protected Characteristics
- An acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
