Equalities Objectives

Haslingden High School is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all staff and students.

Haslingden High School was awarded the Lancashire Equality Mark in 2023.

Haslingden High School is guided by a clear set of objectives and values, one of which is equality. Our overarching school aim of ‘Achievement for All’ underpins all aspects of our work. We are committed to eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment, and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relations between all members of our school and wider community. We are determined to ensure that all members of our community are treated fairly and have access to high-quality services.

We respect the dignity and equality of our students, staff, and wider members of the community. We demonstrate clearly through our practices the centrality of individual human rights within a framework, which celebrates diversity and fosters a spirit of cohesion.

We are committed to a whole school approach to equality and consider it an essential part of our curriculum that students learn about the importance of human rights. We wholeheartedly concur with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) statement:

‘To reap the full benefits of equality and human rights education, it is essential to teach topics in an environment which respects the rights and differences of both students and teachers. Without an equality and human rights culture within the classroom and school as a whole, learning about these topics can at best appear irrelevant, and at worst, hypocritical. The respect and tolerance it teaches will help staff and students create a healthier, happier, fairer school culture, and could lead to reductions in bullying and other negative behaviour, and improvements in attainment and aspirations.’

In all aspects of school life we are committed to fairness and equality; this includes:

  • Our curriculum
  • Assembly programme
  • Pastoral support
  • Extracurricular programmes and activities

There are three main elements within the act and in carrying out our functions we must have regard for the need to:

  1. Eliminate discrimination and other conduct prohibited by the act.
  2.  Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
  3.  Foster good relations across all characteristics – between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it. This duty applies to all students, staff and others using the facilities. At all times we will give relevant and proportionate consideration to the PSED when considering our provision.

Protected characteristics under the Act are:

  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Race
  • Religion or belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation
  • Age (only applicable to staff, not students)
  • Marriage and Civil Partnerships (only applicable to staff, not students)

Our school will have due regard to advancing equality of opportunity including making a clear and consistent commitment to:

  • Minimise or eliminate disadvantages suffered by person or persons who share a relevant protected characteristic.
  • Take steps to meet the needs of a person or persons who share a protected characteristic that is different from the needs of others who do not share it.
  • Encourage persons who share a relevant protected characteristic to participate fully in public life.
  • Encourage persons who share a relevant protected characteristic to participate fully in any school activity in which participation by such persons is disproportionately low.

In exercising our duty, we will consider the six Brown principles of ‘due regard’:

  1. Awareness – all staff know and understand what the law requires.
  2. Timeliness – implications considered before they are implemented.
  3. Rigour – open-minded and rigorous analysis, including parent/student voice.
  4. Non-delegation – the PSED cannot be delegated.
  5. Continuous – ongoing all academic year.
  6. Record-keeping – keep notes and records of decisions & meetings.

Haslingden High School welcomes the opportunity to be transparent and accountable. Haslingden High fulfils the specific duties of the Act by publishing an Equality Policy, Information and Objectives on the school website, please click below:

Equality & Diversity Policy

Equality Information

Students

We maintain confidentiality and work to the principles set out in the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) to protect personal data. We publish information in a way so that no student or staff member can be identified.  Information is updated annually.

Our students range in age from 11-18 years.  Reasonable adjustments are made for disability as necessary.  We are committed to supporting all students regardless of sexual orientation.

Staff

The school complies with its equality duties concerning age, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity.  Reasonable adjustments are made for disability as necessary.  We are committed to supporting all staff regardless of sexual orientation and towards gender reassignment.