Gold Equalities Award
We are beyond proud that our core values are so embedded that it has been awarded not one but twice GOLD standard with the Equaliteach Equalities award- around only 4 schools Nationally have achieved this.
The award scheme provides support and guidance for schools to promote diversity and showcase commitment to equality, foster good community relations, and support children in adapting to the wonderful world around them.
For our first award, then Deputy Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Richard Jones and the borough’s then education Councillor Karen Simms called in to join in the celebrations.
Councillor Jones said: “It’s a real testament to the students and staff at Ferndale that not only are they only one of ten schools nationwide that earned this award but that they did so in less than half the time of most is exceptional. I congratulate them all.”
Ferndale’s head Ruth Gillett said: “This award shows how the importance the school and our students place on being a fair and safe place to learn and develop without fear of discrimination and with opportunity for all regardless of gender or of cultural, national or religious background.”
Schools taking part aspire to attain bronze, silver and gold awards to allow schools to work at an achievable level and build on a commitment to equality over time. There are opportunities to progress through the levels as programmes develop.
Challenging Stereotypes
To support our children’s experiences, we devised a whole programme through which we invite people from various fields, such as an historian, a scientist, sports people, musicians, MPs, CEOS, people from all walks of life to come into the school to talk to the children about not putting a ceiling on their future career expectations. Our curriculum drivers of Aspiration, Inspiration and Inclusion mean that we want our children to challenge traditional views of what these job roles may ‘look like’.
Equality statement for staff and visitors
Ferndale Primary School is committed to providing high quality teaching and learning for our pupils. As a maintained school within Sandwell Local Authority, we follow all of Sandwell’s Equality policies for staff and those employed by Sandwell.
We recognise that by valuing and promoting equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants and avoiding unlawful discrimination in this area, we will be able to deliver first class education and value the differences our workforce brings.
We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We also value diversity and recognise the varied contributions that a diverse workforce brings to an organisation; we are committed to drawing on different perspectives and experiences of individuals which will add value to what we do. We acknowledge intersectionality and the impact that a wide variety of differences will have on the individual and the workplace.
We will ensure that we do not discriminate against staff on the basis of:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- gender definition
- intersex and non-binary
- marital or civil partner status
- pregnancy or maternity
- race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin
- religion or belief
- sex or sexual orientation; or any combination of those listed above (the protected characteristics).
The principles of non-discrimination also apply to how we expect our staff to treat colleagues, pupils, parents and carers, visitors, clients, customers, suppliers and former staff regardless of whether the legal protection of having a protected characteristic applies.
This complies with the requirements of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and the Equality Act 2010.
Under the general public sector equality duty of the Equality Act 2010, we have due regard to and are committed to:
- eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation;
- advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
The duty covers the protected characteristics of race, disability, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity, gender reassignment, gender definition, intersex and non-binary. The first part of the duty - the duty to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation - also applies to the protected characteristic of marriage and civil partnership. As part of our duty we publish on our website:
Our equality objectives within our Accessibility plan (at least every four years); and Information that demonstrates our compliance with this duty.
We may collect, process and store personal data and special categories of data in accordance with our data protection policy. We will comply with the requirements of Data Protection Legislation (being the UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018) and any implementing laws, regulations and secondary legislation, as amended or updated from time to time, in relation to how we collect, hold and share personal data.