Equality Objectives

E-ACT West Walsall Academy takes the writing and review of the academy Equality Objectives very seriously. The Equality Objectives are determined by the Headteacher in consultation with Senior Leaders, our Equality and Inclusion Champion and the Trust. The Equality Objectives are set every four years and reviewed every year.

The 3 main aims of the Equality Duty are:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act.
• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
• Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

Equality Act (2010): https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents.

E-ACT West Walsall Academy is an all-inclusive school, where we focus on the well- being and progress of every student and where all members of our community are of equal worth. We believe that the Equality Act provides a framework to support our commitments to:

• Provide an environment which values and includes all student, staff, parents and visitors regardless of their educational, physical, sensory, social, spiritual, emotional and cultural needs. 
• Challenge attitudes about disability and accessibility and to developing a culture of awareness, tolerance and inclusion. 
• Ensure equality of opportunity in line with the Equality Act 2010. 

Our approach to equality is based on the following key principles: 

• All learners are of equal value. 
• We recognise and respect difference. 
• We foster positive attitudes and relationships and a shared sense of cohesion and belonging. 
• We aim to reduce inequalities and barriers that already exist. 
• We have the highest expectations of our students and ensure that all are exposed to and taught about all protected characteristics through our curriculum. 

(Protected Characteristics include: Religion or belief, race – colour, ethnicity or national origin, gender or gender identity, sex or sexuality, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, age.) 

Where it is practicable to make reasonable adjustments to enable a prospective student to take up a place at E-ACT West Walsall Academy and to satisfy the current admissions criteria, the Academy is committed to providing those reasonable adjustments. In order to do this, the Academy will ask for the student to disclose whether they have received any learning support, have had an educational psychologist report or have any disability or other condition of which the Academy should be aware. Where a potential student has an Education Health Care Plan, the Academy will work with the Local Authority to ensure that the identified provision is delivered in an appropriate manner. The Academy will be sensitive to any issues of confidentiality. 

E-ACT West Walsall Academy will not tolerate direct or in-direct discrimination, harassment or victimisation. 

As an Academy, we have an accessible site and building with the following: 

• Outside sports and grounds facilities that are fully accessible to all. 
• Accessible toilets in each area of the building. 
• Emergency evacuation system in place with the use of EVAC chairs. 
• Non-visual guides on signage around the Academy. 
• Clearly marked disabled parking bays in the car park. 

To increase the extent to which all disabled students can participate in the Academy curriculum, we have: 

• Provided a number of ‘bases’ and ‘safe spaces’ to use for lessons, interventions and during social times. 
• Provided all staff with a bespoke ‘one-page-profile’ of students needs and disabilities. 
• Detailed and bespoke access arrangements to allow students to access internal and external examinations and assessments without prejudice. 
• Ongoing collation of transition information in relation to students need and disability about prospective Year 7 students and mid-term admissions prior to starting dates. 

Accessibility & Equality Action Plan