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Equality Targets and Actions

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

At St Mary’s, we are committed to ensuring that every member of our community feels valued, respected, included and able to flourish. Rooted in our Christian vision of “Aspiring, nurturing, flourishing; together shining a light,” we celebrate diversity and recognise the unique value and dignity of every individual as part of God’s family.

In line with the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to:

  • Eliminating discrimination, harassment and victimisation
  • Advancing equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not
  • Fostering good relations within our school community and beyond

Our equality objectives reflect our commitment to creating a nurturing, inclusive and ambitious environment where all children and adults are encouraged to shine their light, develop confidence, and thrive academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

Through our curriculum, collective worship, personal development opportunities and daily interactions, we actively promote respect, compassion, courage and understanding, preparing our children to become thoughtful citizens in a diverse modern world.

Equality Objectives (2026–2030)

Objective 1: Reduce the Attainment Gap for Disadvantaged Pupils, SEND and EAL Learners

📌 Why?
Our data highlights that pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, those with SEND, and pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL) may face additional barriers to achieving their full potential.

✅ Actions:

  • Implement targeted high-impact interventions to support academic progress, particularly in reading, writing and maths.
  • Ensure inclusive teaching practices that support adaptive teaching and high-quality provision for all pupils.
  • Track and monitor the progress of disadvantaged pupils, EAL learners and those with SEND through INSIGHT tracking, monitoring and curriculum planning.
  • Offer professional development for staff on inclusive teaching strategies and adaptive practice.

🎯 Outcome:
The attainment and progress gaps between these groups and their peers will continue to narrow over time.

Objective 2: Promote Diversity and Representation in the Curriculum

📌 Why?
At St Mary’s, we want every child to feel seen, valued and represented within our curriculum and wider school life, while developing understanding, respect and appreciation for the diverse world around them.

✅ Actions:

  • Audit and refine the curriculum to ensure diverse voices, cultures and perspectives are embedded across subjects.
  • Expand classroom texts, library books and learning resources to reflect a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and identities.
  • Incorporate significant people and inspirational role models from a range of cultures and communities into lessons and collective worship.
  • Promote opportunities for pupils to learn about different faiths, cultures and traditions through the curriculum, enrichment and wider school experiences.

🎯 Outcome:
Pupils will develop a broader understanding of diversity, alongside a stronger sense of belonging, respect and inclusion within the school community.

Objective 3: Tackle Disproportionate Absence Among Vulnerable Groups

📌 Why?
Our attendance target is 96%. Internal tracking highlights that some pupils, including those from disadvantaged or vulnerable groups, may have disproportionately higher absence rates.

✅ Actions:

  • Implement targeted attendance strategies, offering personalised support for families facing barriers to attendance.
  • Strengthen communication and engagement with parents/carers, via newsletters for instance, to emphasise the importance of regular attendance.
  • Work collaboratively with external agencies to provide additional support where needed.
  • Monitor attendance patterns carefully through INSIGHT and pastoral systems to identify concerns early.

🎯 Outcome:
Attendance rates for vulnerable pupils will improve, reducing persistent absence and increasing engagement with learning.

Objective 4: Ensure a Safe, Inclusive and Respectful Environment for All

📌 Why?
St Mary’s should be a place where every child feels safe, respected, valued and able to flourish within a nurturing Christian environment.

✅ Actions:

  • Embed the St Mary’s vision and values throughout school life to promote respect, compassion, inclusion and empathy.
  • Strengthen PSHE, RSE and collective worship opportunities to address issues such as bullying, discrimination, protected characteristics and respectful relationships.
  • Ensure staff receive regular safeguarding and inclusion training.
  • Maintain robust systems for recording, monitoring and responding to incidents of bullying or discrimination.
  • Provide pupil voice opportunities through school leadership roles, pupil groups and wider discussions to ensure all voices are heard and valued.

🎯 Outcome:
Pupils will report feeling safe, respected and included, with a continued culture of kindness, belonging and mutual respect across the school community.

Objective 5: Improve Accessibility and Inclusivity for Pupils with SEND and Additional Needs

📌 Why?
St Mary’s is committed to ensuring full participation and inclusion for all pupils, including those with SEND, neurodiverse needs or physical disabilities.

✅ Actions:

  • Ensure ongoing potential accessibility issues are addressed.
  • Continue to develop inclusive classroom environments and adaptive teaching approaches.
  • Ensure classroom adaptations and reasonable adjustments are consistently implemented across the school.
  • Provide staff training on SEND, neurodiversity, adaptive teaching and supportive technologies where appropriate.

🎯 Outcome:
Pupils with SEND and additional needs will have improved access to learning and school life, promoting independence, confidence and achievement.

Monitoring and Review

We will evaluate our progress towards these objectives through:

  • Pupil attainment and progress tracking through INSIGHT and assessment systems

  • Attendance records and trends in persistent absence
  • Behaviour, safeguarding and inclusion records
  • Pupil, staff and parent voice activities and surveys
  • Governor monitoring and annual review processes

These objectives will be formally reviewed every four years (next review: 2030), with annual updates on progress.

Conclusion

At St Mary’s, we believe that equity, inclusion and dignity are fundamental to enabling every child to flourish. By embedding these objectives within our school culture, curriculum and daily practice, we ensure that every pupil is nurtured to aspire and flourish equally as they continue shining their light within school and beyond.

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