Promoting Equity  at St. Mark’s Catholic Primary School

At St. Mark’s Catholic Primary School, our unwavering commitment lies in fostering united communities, both within our school’s physical boundaries and in our local, national, and global spheres. We embrace the goal of collaborative efforts to enhance the educational and well-being outcomes of children.

The Equality Act of 2010 plays a pivotal role in ensuring that discrimination, harassment, and victimization based on certain characteristics (referred to as protected characteristics) are prohibited. This legislation means that schools must not engage in discriminatory practices or treat pupils less favorably on the grounds of sex (gender), race, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, or marital status.

The Act introduced obligations that apply to all schools, necessitating compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty, alongside two specific duties.

Public Sector Equality Duty obliges our school to:

1. Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, and victimization.
2. Promote equality of opportunity among various groups.
3. Foster positive relations among different groups.

The Two “Specific Duties” require us to:

• Publish information demonstrating our adherence to the Equality Duty.
• Publicize Equality Objectives at least every four years, with specific and measurable targets.

Our school’s action plan and statement serve as tangible demonstrations of our commitment to fulfilling these specific duties.

In alignment with international human rights standards, as articulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, and the Human Rights Act of 1998, we present our Equality Statement:

Equality Statement: Our Equality Statement is rooted in the principles mentioned above and seeks to ensure that:

“All pupils and members of staff at St. Mark’s are provided with opportunities to fulfill their potential, regardless of their sex, race, color, ethnic or national origin, marital status, age, disability, or religious belief.”

Equal Opportunities: At St. Mark’s Catholic Primary School, we firmly believe that all children, regardless of their first language, disability, race, gender, cultural, or socio-economic background, should have equitable access to the full school curriculum.

Disability Statement: St. Mark’s Catholic Primary School takes immense pride in its dedication to inclusivity. We are committed to providing access to the complete curriculum for children with physical disabilities, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive.

In upholding these values and principles, we are not only fulfilling our legal obligations but also fostering an environment where every student can flourish, learn, and grow, knowing they are valued and respected for who they are. At St. Mark’s, we are dedicated to nurturing a community where equity and inclusion are celebrated as fundamental pillars of our ethos.