Alderman Payne Parent Council

Equal Opportunities Policy

Introduction

The Parent Council at Alderman Payne Primary School has a commitment to equality of opportunity. Where equality of opportunity exists, all members will work in a more rewarding and less stressful environment, one free from prejudice and harassment and one more likely to enhance their performance and achievement.

The purpose of the Policy and Guidelines is to:

• Support the ethos of the school and create a climate for school improvement, enabling all members to give of their best;
• Enable the Parent Council to respond to legislation and best practice guidance in the field of equality and opportunity;
• Ensure that the Policy supports the School's Mission Statement.
• Provide a clear framework for action in relation to equality of opportunity over the coming years.

Aims

The Parent Council of Alderman Payne Primary School is committed to ensuring that all aspects of school support activities are dealt with in a fair and just manner. The Parent Council believe that the principle of equal opportunity in all things is consistent with social justice and best educational and personnel practice; it is in keeping with our aims to recognise the dignity and worth of all people. To this end we aim to comply with both the letter and the spirit of the Law.

Membership

All adults who are parents or carers of children in the school are encouraged to attend Parent Council meetings.

We aim to ensure that all who wish to work in or volunteer to help with our Parent Council activities have an equal chance to do so. In particular we welcome the participation of parents who are underrepresented on the Parent council e.g. those from ethnic minority groups.  Parents are made aware of our Equal Opportunities Policy through the school website.

This is a voluntary group and a registered charity. There is a committee structure and the Parent Council appoints the best person to take on the voluntary roles of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer taking an individuals' experience into account. We encourage grandparents to join the group. People should not be prejudged according to their age. Everyone has experience, ideas, and skills and each person should be valued for his or her uniqueness regardless of age.

The Parent Council acknowledges its commitment to conducting its affairs in accordance with equal opportunities legislation. When drawing-up or applying selection criteria, the Parent Council do not discriminate on grounds of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin or disability.

The Parent Council's Definition of Equality of Opportunity:

Equality of opportunity requires that everyone has an equal chance to develop themselves to their full potential. Consequently, equality of opportunity implies that:

• Equality of access exists for all:
• Individual choices are widened and everyone is treated fairly and with respect.
• Everyone is unique and has different needs and will be provided with a differentiated provision to meet those needs (equality of opportunity is underpinned by the idea of equality implies not sameness of service but diversity to meet diverse needs);
• No one experiences disadvantage or discrimination;
• Bullying and harassment, in any form, will not be tolerated;
• Change is managed for the benefit of all;

Entitlement and Responsibilities

• All members are entitled to work in an environment that does not unfairly discriminate against them in any shape or form.

• All members are entitled to be treated equitably and with respect irrespective of their gender, ability or sexual orientation, their social, cultural or religious background, or their family circumstances or age.

• All members are entitled to work in an environment in which they do not encounter bullying or harassment in any shape or form.

• All those associated in any shape or form with the Parent Council are entitled to equality of opportunity as defined in this Policy and Guidelines, and they should have responsibility for its successful implementation.

Links with the wider Community

We recognise that the area we serve (Wisbech area) is an area of disadvantage. To that end we aim to open up the school where possible to the community to events as long as this is not to the detriment of the school. The major Parent Council events (Summer Fair, Christmas Fair, Race night, bingos, etc.) are open to the wider community for their participation,  and we encourage all from the Village of Parson Drove and the surrounding areas to attend. This is advertised through local publicity as well as local papers.  
 

Further information

General guidance on equal opportunities may be found on the following websites:

• The Department for Education and Skills, www.dfes.gov.uk;

• The Commission for Racial Equality, www.cre.gov.uk;

• The Disability Rights Commission, www.drc-gb.org;

The Equal Opportunities Commission, www.eoc.org.uk