Protected Characteristics

At Captain’s Close Primary School we believe that it is important that all children gain an understanding of the world they are growing up in, and learn how to live alongside, and show respect for, a diverse range of people.

In so doing we promote equality and pupils’ understanding of the protected characteristics.

The Equality Act became law in 2010. It covers everyone in Britain and protects people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Everyone in Britain is protected. This is because the Equality Act protects people against discrimination because of the protected characteristics that we all have.

The 9 Protected Characteristics are actively promoted in school through:

Our school ethos, SDP, and SEF
Our school core values
Our school behaviour policy
Conscious role modelling by all adults in the school community
Active engagement and communication with parents and carers
Collective Worship and class assemblies
Promotion of British Values across the school community
Discussion within curriculum subjects, taking a cross-curricular approach
Promoting articulation by building appropriate language and a coherent vocabulary across all subject areas
Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) sessions
Religious Education (RE) lessons, RSE lessons and Protected Characteristic talks
Sporting competitions, festivals and opportunities
Art and Cultural activities
Pupil Voice e.g. School Councillors, Diversity Champions, Eco Warriors and Sports Crew Leaders
Educational visits
Real-life learning outside the classroom
Guest speakers and visitors from the wider community
Developing stronger links with the local, national and international communities
Extra-curricular activities, after-school clubs, charity work and work within the local community

We firmly believe that embedding Protected Characteristics into the whole school ethos at Captain’s Close promotes:

Self-esteem, self-knowledge and self-confidence of everyone in our school community
Respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process will be raised
Acceptance of responsibility for their own behaviour
Respect for their own and other cultures
Understanding of how people can contribute positively to school and home life and to the lives of those living and working in the local community and beyond
An understanding of Equality, Human Rights and Protected Characteristics
An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process
An appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety of all
An understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
An acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
An understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination

Quality text which promote protected characteristics