Equality & Diversity

At Lyneham Primary School, we are firmly committed to eliminating discrimination and all conduct prohibited under the Equality Act 2010. We understand that as a maintained primary school serving a uniquely diverse and mobile community, this duty is fundamental to ensuring that every child, staff member, and family feels safe, respected, and valued.

Understanding Our Responsibility

The Equality Act 2010 requires schools to eliminate discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics, including but not limited to race, disability, gender, faith, sexual orientation, and family circumstances. We recognise that discrimination can take many forms, from overt bullying and harassment to more subtle barriers to participation and achievement. Our approach is proactive, comprehensive, and embedded in our school ethos, policies, and daily practice.

How We Comply with This Duty

• Inclusive and Explicit Policies
  We have clear policies that explicitly prohibit any form of discrimination or harassment. These include our Behaviour Policy, Anti-Bullying Policy, Recruitment Policy, and Pay Policy, all of which reinforce our zero-tolerance stance on discriminatory conduct. The importance of preventing discrimination is regularly highlighted in staff meetings and governor discussions to ensure ongoing awareness and accountability.

• Staff Training and Awareness
  All staff receive training on the Equality Act and related safeguarding matters, with emphasis on recognising and addressing discrimination in all its forms. This includes specific training linked to our ongoing Anti-Racism School Award work, which helps deepen understanding of racial equality and supports the eradication of racism in our school community.

• Supportive Leadership and Governance
  Our leadership team, including six Designated Safeguarding Lead Staff (DSLs) and three qualified Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCos), vigilantly monitor incidents and patterns of discrimination. Weekly safeguarding meetings and inclusion team oversight ensure swift, appropriate action is taken to protect vulnerable children, including those with SEND, EAL, or who are known to social care.

• Promoting a Culture of Respect and Inclusion
  Our school values—kindness, respect, responsibility, perseverance, aspiration, and cooperation—are lived daily and form the foundation for our inclusive culture. We embed these values through assemblies, curriculum content, and daily interactions, fostering an environment where discrimination is not tolerated and diversity is celebrated.

• Tailored Support to Remove Barriers
  Recognising the challenges of our mobile service family cohort and the diversity of our children, we provide targeted interventions and personalised support to ensure equity of opportunity. This includes scaffolded learning approaches in line with our CUSP and Ark curricula, alongside phonics support through ELS and booster teaching for Year 6 children to mitigate disrupted education due to mobility.

• Engaging Our Community
  We actively communicate with families and the wider community about our equality commitments and welcome feedback to improve our practice. Our inclusive ethos extends to all visitors and contractors, ensuring respectful and nondiscriminatory engagement across the school environment.

Concrete Examples of Our Commitment

• The ongoing Anti-Racism School Award work, which is shaping our policies and practice to challenge racial discrimination explicitly.
• Regular staff briefings and professional development sessions focused on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Our inclusion lead’s monitoring of attendance and vulnerable groups to identify and address any emerging inequalities or discriminatory barriers.
• Use of data to track the progress and attainment of different pupil groups, enabling targeted interventions to close gaps and promote fairness.
• Collaborative work between DSLs, SENCos, and the transition coordinator to ensure vulnerable children receive timely support, minimising risks of exclusion or discrimination.

Summary

At Lyneham Primary School, eliminating discrimination is not simply a legal obligation but a core part of who we are. Through robust policies, vigilant leadership, inclusive teaching, and ongoing reflection and development, we strive to ensure all members of our community can belong, believe, and achieve without fear of discrimination or unfair treatment.

We remain dedicated to continuous improvement in this area, recognising that promoting equality and challenging discrimination requires ongoing commitment and collective responsibility.