Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality and Diversity policy

At a Trust level, we are continually working towards delivering our equality objectives for 2025 and beyond. These are set out below:

01

Objective

Close the progress / achievement gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils.

Indicative Action:

  • Have high expectations and clear routines for learning for all staff and pupils.
  • Ensure every pupil is a fluent reader through our trust-wide approach to reading instruction.
  • Ensure we respond to what reliable data is telling us about the performance of individuals and groups of pupils.
  • Deliver our explicitly planned curriculum expertly. 
  • Ensure every staff member tailors their teaching to their own classes and the needs of individual pupils using data-driven planning.
  • Use Pupil Premium funding effectively.

02

Objective

Embed equality, diversity and inclusion into wider leadership practice within our schools.

Indicative Action:

  • Deliver a programme of assemblies, outside visitors, leadership opportunities and educational visits to promote the ethos of equality to pupils and help pupils develop good relationships with people of different characteristics
  • Ensure reasonable adjustments are in place for children requiring them
  • Monitor engagement of uptake at any extra-curricular activities or enrichment provision to ensure opportunities are accessible to all
  • Respond to world news/current affairs issues (related to any individuals/protected characteristics) through assembly/collective worship or PSHE sessions

03

Objective

Embed equality, diversity and inclusion across our organisation

Indicative Action:

  • Provide appropriate communication, awareness and training on trust policies and procedures that incorporate equality requirements
  • Analyse any negative behaviour incidents to identify any patterns related to protected characteristics, e.g. racism, and ensure any necessary action is taken to mitigate this
  • Develop staff equalities data
  • Take positive action to reduce these Gender Pay Gaps where possible
  • Promote opportunities for staff voice and dialogue with the Trust on equality, diversity and inclusion

For our staff and volunteers, DEMAT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.

 

We do not discriminate against staff, Trustees and members of our Local Governing Bodies on the basis of age, race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion, faith or belief (Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics). The principles of non-discrimination and equality of opportunity also apply to the way in which staff and Governors treat visitors, volunteers, contractors and former staff members.

At a Board/Trust Committee level, the primary focus is to ensure that members have the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience to be able to discharge their responsibilities on a consistent basis. How these fora achieve this, including how they reflect the needs of their communities, is reviewed on a periodic basis at a forum level. Relevant information concerning our Trustees in this regard are set out on the Trust Board page. At a Local Governing Body level, further information can be viewed on the websites of the individual DEMAT academies

                                                     

At a Governance level, DEMAT works to ensure that its Board, Trust Committees and Local Governing Bodies reflect the characteristics and perspectives of the communities for which they serve.

For more information, please refer to our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.