EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) ensures fair treatment and opportunity for all.  It aims to eradicate prejudice and discrimination on the basis of an individual or group of individual's protected characteristics.

What is equality?

At its core, equality means fairness: we must ensure that individuals, or groups of individuals, are not treated less favourably because of their protected characteristics.

Equality also means equality of opportunity: we must also ensure that those who may be disadvantaged can get the tools they need to access the same, fair opportunities as their peers.

What is diversity?

Diversity is recognising, respecting and celebrating each other's differences. A diverse environment is one with a wide range of backgrounds and mindsets, which allows for an empowered culture of creativity and innovation.

What is Inclusion?

Inclusion means creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. An inclusive environment can only be created once we are more aware of our unconscious biases, and have learned how to manage them.

What are the protected characteristics?

The following are the legal protected characteristics, under The Equality Act 2010:

• Age

• Disability

• Gender reassignment

• Marriage and civil partnership

• Pregnancy and maternity

• Race

• Religion or belief

• Sex

• Sexual orientation

Discrimination on the grounds of any of these characteristics is illegal. Discrimination can take many forms including direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, bullying, harassment and victimisation.

Once a term, a group of staff meet to ensure that all aspects relating to equality, diversity, and inclusion, are represented across the 24-hour curriculum, and also to ensure pupils, families, staff, and visiting professionals, are supported and valued in all that they do, value, and believe in. The group also adhere to the Equal Opportunities Policy, and agree the Equality Objectives for the year. Finally, the group play a key role in planning and organising the termly SMSC Events, to develop staff and pupil Cultural Capital.