Believe, Grow, Achieve

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Wilberfoss

Equality

We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive school. For us at Wilberfoss equality means that everyone is able to participate and feel welcome and safe in the activities of our school. This includes pupils, parents, staff, governors and visitors. Everyone should be able to achieve the best possible outcomes as a result of their participation. We believe that equality should permeate all aspects of school life and is the responsibility of all members of the school and community

Diversity

At our school diversity means acknowledging that there are differences between people that should be recognised, respected and celebrated. We promote respect of each other’s differences and identities. We celebrate and raise awareness of diversity in the school (particulalry with us living in a predominantly white British area) and in the wider community and believe that teaching children about diversity prepares them for life in modern Britain. 

Inclusion

At WIlberfoss, we believe it is essential to provide a wellâ€Âbalanced, challenging curriculum for all pupils. Inclusion looks at the needs of all pupils including children with specific learning difficulties such as ADHD, pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties, EAL pupils (English as an Additional Language) and pupils considered to be more able.

Our aim is to provide all children with the best possible outcomes in preparation for lifeâ€Âlong learning. We believe it is important that children acquire skills, knowledge and confidence that can be applied to all future learning experiences, including social, physical and spiritual development. We endeavour to raise aspirations and expectations for all pupils by working in partnership with parents/carers and listening to our pupils.

The Equality Act 2010 describes key protected characteristics that we should all ensure are given equal and fair treatment. They are: 

Equality Inclusion and Human Rights - NHS East Staffordshire Clinical Commissioning Group

As a Church of England School, we use the document Valuing All Gods Children to help us with our equality policy, but also a range of other policies such as anti-bullying, behaviour, SEND, Accessibility etc.

valuing all gods children.pdf

 

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

equality and diversity policy.pdf

 

 What kinds of things do we already do at Wilberfoss?

  • The school has an active School Council and Pupil Voice, with a new display to keep the children in the school up to date with their comments and any feedback.
  • Play leaders in Y6 run equipment for outdoors and ensure all children play with the equipment and everyone has access.
  • Children are involved with local community developments – such as designing garden arrangements at Burnby Hall.
  • Charity events and fundraising – as a church school we support a local, national and global charity and these are prominent in the school, with visitors from the local charity being quite frequent.
  • Visits to and visitors from other cultures and backgrounds to work with the children (e.g. Imam from York Mosque)
  • Children take part in supporting members of the local community: Preparing for and taking part in Remembrance celebrations, writing to the Local Residential home, taking part in local community events.
  • Children have opportunity to learn about being effective citizens including through assemblies and workshops provided by other professionals such as the local police and health care professionals.
  • Deliberate purchasing of books for classes in the library that reflect the entire school community and celebrating diversity through the curriculum.

How do we ensure that protected characteristics is embedded within the Wilberfoss curriculum?

embedding protected characteristics into the whole ethos of wilberfoss.pdf

 

What things are we trying to improve ?

We want to develop further the schools approach to nurture, with the embedding of frequent ELSA sessions for vulnerable pupils and training of the whole staff in nurturing principles that impacts on a whole school level.

We must continue to work hard to promote an understanding of the cultures, faiths, beliefs and lives of others beyond the local area.