Meeting the requirement to publish your school’s Equality objectives November 2012 Ian Douglas

Report on Workshop for Governors held 27 June 2012 Why equality objectives ? Case study – University of Hertfordshire School Tool kit Group Exercise Your next action……. 2

Equality and Diversity at the University of Hertfordshire Case Study – Training for Governors June 2012 Marcella Wright

The Equality Act 2010 (1) The 7 protected characteristics to pupils and students in schools are: are: disability gender reassignment pregnancy and maternity race religion or belief sex sexual orientation Applicants for employment and staff are protected on all of the above, plus also: marriage and civil partnership age N.B. Students in FE/HE are protected on grounds of age 8

The Equality Act 2010 (2) Protects against unlawful discrimination, harassment and vicitmisation Creates new ways of taking positive action to: address low participation deal with disadvantage meet different needs 9

The Equality Act 2010 (3) From 6 April 2011 the new public sector Equality Duty applied across all the protected characteristics. The duty requires schools to have ‘due regard’ to: eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any conduct prohibited by the Equality Act advance equality of opportunity between people with a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not foster good relations between people with a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not 10

The Equality Act 2010 (4) Specific Duties By 6 April 2012, and at least annually thereafter Schools must publish in an accessible way, information that demonstrates compliance with the Equality Duty Schools must prepare and publish in an accessible way one or more specific and measurable objectives which will help you to meet the Equality Duty 11

UH Equality Objectives: Objective 1 - Further improve equality guidance for, support and fair treatment of, all staff and students Objective 2 - Further enhance engagement and communication with staff and students on equality matters Objective 3 - Work towards reducing the differential in degree attainment between White and Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) students by 10 percentage points by 2014/15 Objective 4 - Enhance employment opportunities, identifying and addressing any barriers to the recruitment and career progression of staff of all protected characteristics Objective 5 - Extend the collection and use of equality monitoring data to meet the Equality Duty. The objectives have been published in the University’s updated Equality and Diversity Policy and on the Equality Duty page of the University Website 12

Implementing an objective 13 Objective 3: To work towards reducing the differential in degree attainment between White and Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) students by 10 percentage points by 2014/15 We are finalising an operational plan to help us achieve our objective Key performance indicator(s) Senior Accountable Executive Rationale Sector performance Recent progress and plans for 2012/13 Challenges

Action plan

Outcomes from Group Discussion (June training) a.Some schools have a homogenous pupil population. Identifying a critical equality issue can therefore be more difficult. b.Mobility: family/pupil mobility can have an influence on data especially in areas where mobility is high c.Young carers: this is a group which has particular needs but which do not necessarily fit into one of the protected characteristics. d.Parental engagement: the need to develop this for all. e.Facts: the need for accurate reliable facts before a governing body can agree equality objectives. f.Language: The importance of using appropriate language in school equality objectives and all school materials.

Equality Objectives At “Equals Opportunities School”, we are 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. In order to further support pupils, raise standards and ensure inclusive teaching, we have set ourselves the following objectives:- 1.To monitor and analyse pupil achievement by race, gender and disability and act on any trends or patterns in the data that require additional support for pupils. 2.To raise levels of attainment in core subjects for vulnerable learners. 3.To review levels of parental and pupil engagement in learning and school life, across all activities to ensure equity and fairness in access and engagement.

What next ? Use SMART objectives and not too many ……….. Your Action plan ??? (See pages 15 & 16 of report for some ideas..)