The Equality Act became law in 2010. It covers everyone in Britain and protects people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Under the Equality Act, there are nine Protected Characteristics that everyone in Britain is protected from discrimination. At Maple Tree, we are committed to anti-discriminatory practice to promote equality of opportunity and valuing diversity for all children and families. The school’s general duties, with regard to equality are:

• Eliminating discrimination.

• Fostering good relationships.

• Advancing equality of opportunity. 

The nine Protected Characteristics are:

• Sex. 

• Age.

• Race.

• Disability. 

• Religion or belief. 

• Sexual orientation. 

• Gender reassignment. 

• Pregnancy or maternity.

• Marriage and civil partnership.

Maple Tree Primary School prides itself on being an inclusive school that cares about every individual. In doing so, we promote and deliver a range of strategies to ensure that they comply with Public Sector Equality Duty, 

The 9 Protected Characteristic are actively promoted throughout the school within:

• Our school vision and ethos statements and the development plan.

• Our policies for the management of behaviour at Maple Tree Primary School.

• Conscious role modelling by all adults in the school community.

• Active engagement and communication with parents and carers, embracing strategy and embracing our diverse community.

• Providing workshops e.g. Phonics, Multiplication, Reading, Internet Safety  etc for all parents and carers.

• Maple Tree upholds and teaches children about the school’s values as part of our curriculum and our programme of assemblies.

• Promoting mutual respect and understanding through our religious education and PSHE curriculum.

• Learning about significant people who represent the protected characteristics and challenging stereotyping and discrimination is embedded within our history curriculum.

• Developing a love of reading and books through our Reading curriculum. Children are introduced to different genres and authors.

• Art projects and visits.

• Pupil Parliament: these children develop an understanding of democracy and the voting system. They understand their views and opinions are listened to and point of view considered.

•  We also promote inclusivity and equality throughout our PSHCE scheme of work, weekly Circle Times and assemblies.

Equality Objectives 2026-2030

At Maple Tree Primary School, we are committed to ensuring equality of education and opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents and carers, irrespective of race, gender, disability, belief, religion or socio-economic background.

In order to further support pupils, raise standards and ensure inclusive teaching, we have set the following objectives:

• To raise awareness, and improve knowledge of, a range of different protected characteristics (gender, disability, race, religion and sexual orientation) for all members of the school community. 
• To create an inclusive and equal learning environment, by actively promoting gender equality and challenging harmful gender stereotypes among all students, staff and wider community.

These objectives will be planned for and met through our process of Whole School Development, and reviewed on a regular basis.