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 are proud to have become one of the first schools in our area to achieve 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 focuses 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 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.'
'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.'
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.
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
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
If you need support? you can find your nearest youth group.
Identify educational resources that teachers may reference
A global movement driving positive change in public attitudes towards the LGBT+ community.
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:
Our equality objectives are:
Objective | Which group(s) with protected characteristics will this benefit/ | Actions and who will be involved? | Timescale | Which general duty/ies will it address? | How will we measure our success? |
To promote cultural development and understanding through a rich range of experience, both in and beyond the school | Disability, Gender, Race, Religion or belief, Sexual orientation, Gender reassignment, | Programme of visits to include places of worship and larger towns and cities Programme of visitors organised for assemblies to share different faiths and cultures Senior Leadership Team, RE subject leader, | Visit and visitors programme set Termly visitors | Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act. | Pupils will have a wider experience of a divergent society Children understand that they are part of a multi- faith society and learn the values of other religions |
To ensure the school environment is accessible as possible to all pupils, staff and visitors. | Disability, Gender, | Keep accessibility plan up to date (see plan) SENDco, Health and Safety Governors | ongoing | Advance equality of opportunity between people who share protected characteristics and those who do not | All pupils able to access learning and environment |
To eradicate prejudice related bullying in relation to the protected characteristics listed in the Equality Act 2010 | Disability, Gender, Race, Religion or belief, Sexual orientation, Gender reassignment, | Use of effective system for recording incidences of discriminatory behaviours. Systems ensure swift identification of any issues, prompt and effective action involving parents where necessary and comprehensive recording.
| Feedback from pupils - termly | Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act. | No recorded incidents of specific name calling i.e. homophobic/ racist improve everyone’s understanding of the implications of homophobic name calling Parents will work with the school to eliminate |
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 | Disability, Gender, Race, | Modify provision in order to meet all children’s needs and interests. Introduce more specific interventions for Literacy and Numeracy Improve parental engagement by coming into school and being part of the learning experience Class teachers, SENCo, parents | Ongoing – see DEP | Advance equality of opportunity between people who share protected characteristics and those who do not | The gap between SEND pupils and non SEND pupils will be narrowed |
| Monitoring arrangements: Health, Safety and Welfare Committee to monitor work on Equalities Act through analysis of data and presentation of evidence by staff concerned. | ||||
| Review dates: Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024 |
Gender Pay Gap:
https:/www.dsat.education/assets/Documents/Statutory-Info/GPGR2023.pdf