Equal opportunities policy

Aims
Reigate Grammar School prides itself on being an inclusive institution and embraces equal opportunities for all. The aims of this policy are to:

• promote the concept of equality of opportunity throughout the school, both for staff and students;
• develop an understanding of, and promotion of, human equality and equal opportunities;
• promote good relations between members of different racial, cultural and religious groups and communities;
• enable students to take responsibility for their behaviour and relationships with others.

Responsibilities
The Head has responsibility for the equal opportunities policy, for delegating responsibilities and tasks to other staff, and for ensuring that the policy is known and understood by staff, students and parents.

The Deputy Head (Academic) is responsible for ensuring equal opportunities in the curriculum.

All staff are responsible for following the policy and reporting incidents of unequal treatment to the Head or other senior member of staff.

Appointment of Staff

• Advertisements and job specifications will all carry a statement that this School is an Equal Opportunities employer, and welcomes applications for all posts from appropriately qualified persons regardless of sex, race, religion, disability or age.

• Candidates for vacant posts will be assessed against relevant criteria only (i.e. skills, qualifications, abilities, experience) in selection for recruitment.

• People with disabilities will be offered facilities at interviews to enable them to demonstrate their suitability for employment.

Staff Development

• All employees have equal chances of training, career development and promotion.

• People becoming disabled while in employment will be given positive help to retain their jobs or to be considered for redeployment if that is necessary.

Pupils

• The school is committed to full educational inclusion (see SEN and Disability Policy).

• Pupils have equal access to the programmes of study throughout the school, according to aptitude and ability.

• All subjects will have equality of opportunity at their core.

• The school’s Anti-Bullying Policy forbids the intimidation of any individual or group within the school community. This includes the verbalisation or vocalisation of discrimination on the grounds of race, culture, religious, gender, sexuality and ability/disability.

• Positive attitudes and awareness development for equality of opportunity is specifically taught through the PSHE and tutor programme

Racist or homophobic bullying and sexual harrassment

• All staff have a legal duty not to bully or otherwise harass other staff.

• Where staff come across incidents involving racist, homophobic bullying or sexual harassment they must report these to the Head or other senior member of staff.

• Any incidents of racist, homophobic bullying or sexual harrassment amongst pupils will be taken seriously, must be dealt with appropriately and reported to a senior member of staff.

Access

• Owing to the nature of the school buildings, not all rooms are fully accessible. Where necessary, the rooming timetable will be adjusted (whether temporarily or permanently) in order to allow all pupils and staff full equality of opportunity. (See SEN and Disability Policy for further details.)

Revised June 2008