ALL DIFFERENT, ALL EQUAL 

The Rainbow Flag Award is a national quality assurance framework for all schools and colleges, which is renewed regularly. It focuses on LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, plus other related identities) inclusion and visibility.  

Through a process of self-assessment and ongoing monitoring and feedback, schools will determine how well they are providing safe and supportive environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT+) students and for families with LGBT+ members. 

The Rainbow Flag Award encourages a whole school approach to LGBT+ inclusion by developing a curriculum that prepares our children for life in the 21st century as well as developing strategies to combat Homophobic, Biphobic and Transphobic (HBT) bullying. 

We have applied to become one of the first schools in our area to work towards achieving the Rainbow Flag Award. 

As a school we have been developing our LGBT+ work over the last few years through accessing materials from Stonewall and The Proud Trust . 

Staff at St Oswald's C of E Academy are committed to making the most of training opportunities to ensure that we develop the best practice across the curriculum and throughout the school environment. We continue to work hard to ensure we maintain this status in and beyond 2022, building on our strengths as an inclusive school.

The award will focus on six key areas:

Red - Skilled Teachers

Orange - Supportive Governors and Parents 

Yellow - Effective Policies 

Green - Inclusive Curriculum 

Blue - Pastoral Support 

Violet - Pupil Voice 

St Oswald's staff have been working together to create resources and to develop our inclusive school environment. Through our work, we aim to ensure that our children feel confident to talk about their families, to each other, staff and to their families using the right language.

We feel passionately that as a school we have a moral duty to ensure that we promote inclusion and equality for all, which is legally supported by The Equalities Act 2010 and Ofsted's document Exploring the school's actions to prevent and tackle homophobic and transphobic bullying. Please see below for the documents. 

Links

• Church of England, click here - Valuing all God's Children

'Church of England schools must ensure that their pupils are secure and able to make excellent progress whatever their background.They are invited into a school that aims to provide an education which leads to an abundant life. Every person in the school community is a child of God. At the heart of Christian distinctiveness in schools is an upholding of the worth of each person: all are Imago Dei – made in the image of God – and are loved unconditionally by God.The hallmark of authentic, life-giving relationships is recognition of the sacredness of the other so that all are welcomed wholeheartedly and with reverence. Each person in all their unique difference should be able to thrive, irrespective of physical appearance, gender,race,religion, ethnicity,socioeconomic background, academic ability, disability,sexual

orientation or gender identity.'

• OFSTED, click here - Inspecting Teaching of Protected Characteristics in School

'No matter what type of school they attend, it is important that all children leave with an understanding of the world they are growing up in, having learned how to live alongside, and show respect for, a diverse range of people. When we inspect schools, we assess how well they equip children to do this.'

• Rainbow Flag Award

The Rainbow Flag Award is a national quality assurance framework for primary schools, secondary schools, SEND schools and colleges. The award focuses on positive LGBT+, (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, plus other related identities), inclusion and visibility. Here you can find out more about the award we are aiming to achieve.

• Just Like Us

This is a charity that supports young people and schools 

They hold a School Diversity Week each year

There is a student members section under school and Pride groups where children can talk about their issues or simply socialise in a safe environment

• Time for Inclusive Education (TIE)

This website provides resources that teachers may reference or use in their lessons. 

It also provides a VOICES section, where you can read about the viewpoints parents of LGBT+ children

• The Proud Trust

If you need support? you can find your nearest youth group.

Identify educational resources that teachers may reference

Our Equality Objectives

We have identified key objectives that our school will focus on this year. These objectives will help us to meet the three arms of the general duties required in the Equality Act 2010 to:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination
• Advance equality of opportunity
• Foster good relations

Our equality objectives are:

• To promote cultural development and understanding through a rich range of experience, both in and beyond the school
• To ensure the school environment is accessible as possible to all pupils, staff and visitors.
• To eradicate prejudice related bullying in relation to the protected characteristics listed in the Equality Act 2010
• To reduce prejudice and increase understanding of equality through direct teaching across the curriculum.
• Actively close gaps in attainment and achievement between pupils and all groups of pupils; especially students eligible for free-school meals, students with special educational needs and disabilities and looked after children

Equality Objectives for period November 2019 – October 2023