Equality and Diversity at Southbrook School

At Southbrook School, we are committed to ensuring equality of education and opportunity for all students, staff, parents and carers, irrespective of their sex (gender), race, disability, religion or belief, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or pregnancy or maternity. This is in line with The Equality Act 2010, which was introduced to ensure protection from discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the grounds of these protected characteristics. We aim to develop 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.

We tackle discrimination through the positive promotion of equality, by challenging all forms of unkindness and stereotypes and by creating an environment which champions respect for all.

Equality in Teaching and Learning

We provide all our pupils with the opportunity to succeed and to reach the highest level of personal achievement. We do this by:

• ensuring equality of access for all pupils and preparing them for life after Southbrook - in an increasingly diverse society
• promoting attitudes and values that challenge any discriminatory behaviour or prejudice
• providing opportunities for pupils to appreciate their own culture and celebrate the diversity of other cultures
• seeking to involve all parents/carers in supporting their child’s education
• utilising teaching approaches appropriate for each individual pupil
• using resources that reflect the diversity of the school population and local community, without stereotyping.

All staff appointments and promotions are made on the basis of merit and ability and in compliance with the law. We are keen to ensure that the staffing of the school reflects the diversity of our community.

The school has a full and separate Equality Policy. Please consult this document for further details.

The School has set the following overarching Equality Objectives to support our work in the field of Equality and Diversity:

Aim 1: To communicate thoughtfully

Everyone is entitled to be listened to and understood

We will offer a programme of events, including school wide assemblies, that will embrace diversity, encourage positive attitudes and understanding of other cultures and religions.

Aim 2: To celebrate community engagement

We take a school wide approach to actively promoting acceptance of difference within our community. Working on the principle that our children our pupils will form a vital part of their communities, We will demonstrate our commitment to inclusivity through celebrating their achievements in school and in the local community through work experience placements, hosting training events, regular off-site visits, communication interventions in off-site contexts and by participating in community based events where possible.

Aim 3: To respect all

We want our school to be a safe and secure place for everyone. We do this through demonstrating strong mutual respect and kindness. We aim to encourage and support one another at all times. We are polite and respectful to everyone we meet, greeting people with friendliness and kind words, and where this is not the case, we capitalise on the opportunity for further education.

We value everyone regardless of their age, race, religion, gender, sexuality or ability. We recognise that this does not always involve treating everyone in the same way; some people may need additional help from us.

We review our Equality Objectives annually  - please click here for the July 2025 review.