Equality and Diversity - our aims

Our school's core values are Brave, Aspire, Collaborate and Care.  We aim to treat everyone fairly, celebrating difference and meeting different needs so that all members of our school community are free to live, learn and achieve their potential.

We are aware of our legal responsibilities for the seven protected characteristics (sex, race, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment and pregnancy/maternity) and aim to meet our obligations under the public sector equality duty by having due regard to eliminating discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity and fostering good relations across all characteristics.

Our equality objectives

Objective 1: To deliver a curriculum which promotes a positive understanding of different characteristics, recognises the contribution that individuals and groups with protected characteristics make to society, and challenges stereotyping and discrimination.

Objective 2: In our Early Years and Foundation Stage, we will close the attainment gaps between boys and girls and other vulnerable groups by ensuring equal opportunities for all and providing a curriculum that enables all to achieve.

Objective 3: To train all members of staff and governors involved in recruitment and selection on equal opportunities and non-discrimination.  Training evaluation data will show that 100% of those have a good understanding of the legal requirements in this area.

At Somerset Bridge Primary School, we work hard to teach our children that all people are equal and to respect diversity.  We celebrated Black History Month in October 2022 and decided to name our classes after the people we researched because we found them so inspirational.

Anti-Hate Allies Network

Our school has representatives who are part of the Anti-Hate Allies Network organised by Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI).  The group is attempting to build a supportive network which will help to identify and get victims of hate crime to the right support, encourage reporting and response to hate crime and raise awareness in the wider community. The group  also wants to make sure that the community know SARI are here for advice or support.

SARI’s Allies Network runs in B&NES, North Somerset, and Somerset. Allies are people already involved and connected in their local community and are keen to become more of an active up stander against inequality. Whether it’s talking to a neighbour, a friend, or a colleague, watching a documentary, giving out leaflets or putting up a poster.

Allies have attended an online Hate Crime Awareness training session so that they are able to identify hate crime and signpost victims to the right place, including SARI’s services. Allies attend online quarterly meetings where they can report back any achievements, ideas, issues or concerns and build peer support with their fellow Allies. The outreach development workers, Martha and Natalia, who coordinate the Allies Networks, are contactable at any time should an Ally wish to discuss any queries or ideas. Our allies will also be able to join our Allies Network platform where they can connect with other Allies to share ideas and information and resources.

• Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI) Our school has been working with SARI for some time, receiving training for staff, speaking to children to support their understanding of diversity and being available to give advice. SARI gives confidential support to anyone who is a victim of hate crime.