Rydal Penrhos School's Equal Opportunities Policy.
Equal Opportunities Policy
Promoting equal opportunities is fundamental to the aims and ethos of Rydal Penrhos School.
The School is committed to equal treatment for all pupils, regardless of race, sex, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment,
Aims
The aims of this policy and the School's ethos as a whole is to:
• Eliminate unlawful discrimination on grounds of any of the protected characteristics
• Promote equality of opportunity for all members of the School community • Comply with the School's equality duties contained in the Equality Act 2010. All members of the School community are expected to comply with this policy. All parents are expected to support the aims of this policy and the School's ethos of tolerance and respect.
Admissions
The School treats every application for admission in a fair and equal way in accordance with this policy and the School's Admissions Policy. Although an academically selective School, each application will be considered on its merits in accordance with the School's selection criteria based on an applicant's ability and aptitude. The School accepts applications from, and admits, all prospective pupils irrespective of their gender, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief or lack of religion or belief or special educational needs ('SEN').
Parents must inform the School when submitting the Registration Form of any special circumstances relating to their child which may affect their child's performance in the admissions process and/or ability to fully participate in the education provided by the School.
The School will not offer a place to a child with disabilities if, after reasonable adjustments have been considered, the School cannot adequately cater for or meet their needs.
Bursaries are means tested awards offered to those who meet the School's admission criteria but may otherwise be unable to attend the School due to financial hardship. Details of our provision for bursaries can be found on our website or obtained from the Bursar's office.
Educational Services
The School affords all pupils access to educational provision including all benefits, services and facilities, irrespective of any protected characteristic (subject to our reasonable adjustments duty and considerations of safety and welfare). The School will not discriminate against a pupil on the grounds of any protected characteristic by excluding them or subjecting them to any other detriment.
The School will:
The School recognises that discrimination may be direct, indirect, or arising from disability whether or not it was intentional. Harassment and bullying in all its forms is unacceptable and will be dealt with in accordance with the School's Rewards, Sanctions and Behaviour and Anti-bullying policies.
Religious Belief
Although the School's religious ethos is Methodist and as such is based on Christian values and tradition, the School is inclusive and welcomes and respects the rights and freedoms of individuals from other religions and faiths (or with no religion or faith) subject to considerations of safety and welfare and the rights and freedoms of other members of the School community.
The governing body, through the Senior Leadership Team, actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Requests for variation in School Uniform
All pupils are required to wear a uniform until Year 11, and a strict "business dress" code operates for Years 12 and 13. The Head will consider requests from parents and pupils for variations in the uniform for reasons related to disability, gender reassignment and/or on religious grounds provided they are consistent with the School's policy on health and safety and it is reasonable in all the circumstances including in light of the School's obligations under the Equality Act 2010.
Reasonable adjustments for pupils with disabilities
The School has an ongoing duty to make reasonable adjustments for pupils with a disability to ensure they do not suffer a substantial disadvantage in comparison with other pupils.
Where the School is required to consider its reasonable adjustments duty, it will consult with parents about what reasonable adjustments, if any, the School is able to make to avoid their child being put at a substantial disadvantage. The School will carefully consider any proposals for auxiliary aids and services in light of a pupil's disability and the resources available to the School. Further information on the School's reasonable adjustments duty can be found in the School's SEN and Disability Policy.
The School has an Accessibility Plan in place which can be found as a hard copy which can be made available upon request.
This sets out the School's plan to increase the extent to which disabled pupils can participate in the School's curriculum; improve the physical environment of the School for the purpose of increasing the extent to which disabled pupils are able to take advantage of education and benefits, facilities or services provided or offered by the School; and improve the delivery to disabled pupils of information which is readily accessible to pupils who are not disabled.
Monitoring and Review
The Headmaster regularly monitors and reviews the effectiveness of this policy and reports to the Governors annually on the policy's effectiveness in practice.
Breach of this Policy
Pupils who are in breach of this policy may be sanctioned in accordance with the School's Rewards, Sanctions and Behaviour Policy.