The Equality Act 2010 replaced nine major Acts of Parliament, as well as almost one hundred sets of regulations, dealing with equality and discrimination. The Act provides a single, consolidated source of discrimination law, covering all types of discrimination that are unlawful.

Everything a school does must be fair, non-discriminatory and not put individuals or groups of people at a disadvantage.

What actions and behaviours are unlawful under the Act?

The Act defines a number of types of unlawful behaviour, including:

• Direct discrimination
• Indirect discrimination
• Failing to make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils or staff
• Discrimination arising from disability
• Harassment related to a protected characteristic
• Victimisation of someone because they have made, or helped with, a complaint about discrimination

Protected Characteristics

The Act uses the term “protected characteristics” to refer to aspects of a person’s identity. Treating a person less favourably because they have one or more of these characteristics would be unlawful.

Public Sector Equality Duty

The Equality Duty has two parts: the “general” duty and “specific” duties.

The general duty is the overarching legal requirement for schools and means they must consider how their policies, practices and day to day activities impact upon pupils and staff. Schools are required to have “due regard” to the need to:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
• Advance equality of opportunity
• Foster good relations

The two specific duties for schools aim to assist them to meet the general duty. These are:

• To publish information to show how they are complying with the Equality Duty. This must be updated at least annually.
• To prepare and publish one or more specific and measurable equality objectives at least every four years.

Please click on the links below to access the school's Equality and Diversity Policy, the list of protected characteristics and the school's action plan.