In order to provide good quality education, all staff and Governors of The Howard School are committed to the provision of equal opportunities for all, in all areas of school life.
Our curriculum is planned to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of students at the school and of society, and prepare students at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. We firmly believe that we have a duty to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between people of different groups.
All of our work is based on the following principles of equality:
1: All learners are of equal value
- whether or not they are disabled
- whatever their ethnicity, culture, religious affiliation, national origin or national status
- whichever their gender(sex), gender (reassignment)
- whatever their sexual orientation
2: We recognise and respect diversity
Treating people equally does not necessarily involve treating them all the same. Our policies, procedures and activities must not discriminate, but are differentiated, as appropriate, to take account of differences of life-experience, outlook and background, and in the kinds of barrier and disadvantage which people may face.
3: We foster positive attitudes and relationships, and a shared sense of cohesion and belonging within our school community and in preparing students for a positive contribution to wider society
- positive attitudes towards disabled people, good relations between disabled and non- disabled people, and an absence of harassment of disabled people
- positive interaction and good relations between groups and communities
- mutual respect and an absence of sexual harassment regardless of sex, sexual orientation or gender reassignment
4: Staff recruitment, retention and development operated properly within the legal and equality duty laws
5: We aim to reduce and remove inequalities and barriers that already exist
In addition to avoiding or minimising possible negative impacts, we take opportunities to maximise positive impacts by reducing and removing inequalities and barriers that may already exist.
6: We consult widely
We routinely talk to all stakeholders, students, parents, staff, the local community and welcome feedback in all forms so that we can reflect on the way we do things, and seek continual improvements.
7: Society as a whole should benefit
We want Howard School students to leave our care and make a real, positive impact on their local, national and international communities.