Equality, Diversity, Inclusion
At Bracken Edge Primary School, our diversity is a strength which should be respected and celebrated by all. We celebrate our diversity and uniqueness and value every member of our community as an equal. Our school value of Belonging underpins our school ethos and are interweaved throughout our curriculum and daily practice. We are passionate about creating a culture of inclusion and diversity in which all those connected to the school feel proud of their identity and ability to participate fully in school life.
Our inclusive curriculum
Our curriculum has been carefully designed to reflect and celebrate the rich diversity of our school community. We ensure that students encounter a wide range of cultures, perspectives, histories, and experiences across all subjects, helping them to develop respect, empathy, and a strong sense of belonging. We want all our children to see themselves—their ethnicity, race, and religion represented in what they learn.
In school, the protected characteristics and links to British Values are interweaved throughout our PSHE curriculum and are demonstrated within our daily practice. We have created an assembly overview that has specific links to protected characteristics and British Values which are centred around inclusive texts and wider themes. This document is attached below.
Assembly Overview
Examples of how we promote Protected Characteristics at Bracken Edge:
· Our school ethos statements, SIP, and SEF
· Our school core values
· Our school behaviour policy
· Conscious role modelling by all adults in the school community
· Active engagement and communication with parents and carers
· Assemblies which have links to protected characteristics, British Values and our BEPS Values.
· Planning of BEPS Curriculum to ensure EDI opportunities.
· Reading resources enriched with books that represent different cultures and values.
· Personal, Social, Health and Emotional education (PSHE) sessions
· Religious Education (RE) lessons
· Sporting, Art and Cultural Events
· Pupil Voice and school Parliament
· Educational visits to places of Worship
· Guest speakers- including inspirational speakers and those from religious communities.
· Extra-curricular activities, after-school clubs, charity work and work within the local community including coffee mornings with parents and across the community
· Black History month.
· Zero tolerance to discrimination
Zero-tolerance approach to discrimination
We have a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination of any kind. Any behaviour that discriminates against an individual or group on the basis of race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or background is taken seriously and addressed immediately. No form of discrimination is tolerated, and pupils are encouraged to show respect for those who share the protected characteristics (Equality Act 2010). We are committed to upholding equality and promoting respect through clear policies, consistent expectations, and education.
More information linked to this can be found within our Anti-Bullying, Safeguarding, Equality and Behaviour Policy.
We work with a range or charities including Stop Hate UK, the charity leads on anti-hate and anti-discrimination work. These workshops and staff training opportunities, along with in-house training, have supported staff continuous professional development (CPD) by providing training, guidance, and resources that help staff better understand hate incidents, discrimination, and how to address these issues within the school environment.
The partnership has also enhanced pupils’ knowledge by helping them understand the impact of prejudice and discrimination, encouraging empathy and respect for others, and empowering them to speak up if they witness or experience unkind or discriminatory behaviour. Below are some examples of charities we have worked with within our school community at Bracken Edge.
Equality Statement
Single Equality Scheme
At Bracken Edge Primary School we actively promote equality of opportunity for all staff, governors, pupils and parents, creating a harmonious learning community where all can succeed.
Our Single Equality Scheme adheres to seven key principles which enables us to meet the equality duties set out in the Equality Act. The development of this scheme involved the whole of our school community, including;
· pupils
· staff
· governors
· parents and carers
· community partners
· those in marginalised, vulnerable and potentially isolated groups
The seven key principals of the scheme are:
Principle 1: All members of the school and wider community are of equal value.
Principle 2: We recognise and respect diversity.
Principle 3: We foster positive attitudes and relationships, and a shared sense of cohesion and belonging.
Principle 4: We will ensure that the recruitment, retention and ongoing development of staff is undertaken in a fair and equitable manner to support our school’s vision and values.
Principle 5: We aim to reduce and remove inequalities and barriers that already exist.
Principle 6: We consult widely.
Principle 7: We feel that the community as a whole should benefit.
At Bracken Edge Primary School, we are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents and carers irrespective of age, race, gender, disability, belief, sexual orientation or socio-economic background. We aim to develop a culture of inclusion and diversity in which all those connected to the school feel proud of their identity or ability to participate fully in school life.
We tackle discrimination through the positive promotion of equality, by challenging bullying or stereotypes and by creating an environment which champions respect for all.
At Bracken Edge Primary School, we believe that diversity is a strength which should be respected and celebrated by all stakeholders of the school.