Equality at John T. Rice Infant and Nursery School

At John T. Rice Infant School, we are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion across all areas of school life. We recognise that every child and every adult is a unique individual and should be valued, respected, and treated fairly at all times. We are proud to celebrate difference and encourage all members of our community to feel confident in who they are.

We actively promote equality through our assemblies, a diverse and inclusive curriculum, and participation in a wide range of national events such as World Mental Health Day and Autism Awareness Day. These opportunities enable our pupils to develop an understanding of the diverse society in which we live and to appreciate the importance of equality and respect for all.

As a public sector organisation, we are subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty and the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011. This means we have a legal duty to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations within our school community.

Outlined below are details of how John T. Rice Infant School is meeting these statutory requirements, together with our current equality objectives.

If you would like further information regarding our approach to equality, please contact the school office.

British Values

In line with guidance from the Department for Education, we are committed to actively promoting British values within our school. This ensures that pupils are well-prepared for life in modern Britain. We encourage all children to show respect and tolerance towards people of all faiths, races, and cultures, while recognising that individuals may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. At the same time, pupils are taught that everyone living in England is subject to its laws.

Through our school rules and daily practice, we ensure that children feel safe, secure, and supported. In doing so, we introduce and reinforce the British value of the Rule of Law, helping pupils to understand its importance in society and within our school community.

Through a variety of social, moral, spiritual and cultural (SMSC) lessons and assemblies children begin to learn about British Values.  The children at John T. Rice Infant and Nursery School are taught further British Values through the Jigsaw scheme of work.

The Key British Values are:

• democracy
• rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

At John T. Rice we actively promote British Values through:

DEMOCRACY

• School Council/Eco reps/ librarians/ playground pals and Office Angels are all elected democratically - All children are encouraged to debate topics of interest, express their views and make a meaningful contribution to the running of the school on matters that directly involve pupils.  Children also have the opportunity to have their voices heard through pupil questionnaires and pupil surveys.
• Children vote on a range of subjects such as what book to read at story time.
• The principle of democracy is explored in the curriculum as well as during assemblies and special days

RULE OF LAW

• Our school follows ‘Three School Rules’, which are integral to our learning and ethos
  every day.
• School rules and expectations are clear, fair and regularly promoted.
• Children are always helped to distinguish right from wrong, in the classroom, during assemblies and on the playground.
• Children are regularly reminded about their ‘Rights and Responsibilities’ and about how these are linked.
• Children are encouraged to respect the law and JTR enjoys visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, Ambulance, etc. to help reinforce this message
• Our Behaviour & Regulation policy states a zero tolerance baseline for any form of aggression, abuse or violence, which extends to pupils, staff and parents and carers.
• Children take part in simple restorative talks with adults when they have been struggling to follow the school rules. 

INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY

• Within school, children are actively encouraged, and given the freedom to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. eg. by signing up for extra-curricular clubs.
• Children in FS2 and Y1 are encouraged to complete their Rainbow Challenges in class each day, taking responsibility for recording their finished work using an ipad and including their name card. 
• Children are supported to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and our pastoral support reinforces the importance of making the right choices.
• Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety teaching and RSE lessons.
• Vulnerable children are protected and stereotypes challenged.  A strong anti-bullying culture is embedded in the school and any form of bullying is challenged and addressed.  The school also operates a robust system of logging incidents.
• Pupils have key roles and responsibilities in school e.g. Playground pals, school council representatives in each class, eco reps in each class, Office Angels and Eco reps in each class. 

MUTUAL RESPECT AND TOLERANCE OF THOSE WITH DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS

• Respect is one of the core values of our school and is a school rule.  Children know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, adults and children.
• Children are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life.
• Staff and children are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
• Links and visits are promoted with local faith communities and places of worship. e.g. Members of different faiths or religions are invited to school to share their knowledge and enhance learning within assemblies and in class.
• Through the PSHE and RE curriculums pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations.
• We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected and global dimension work embedded in many of our humanities themes.  These curriculum themes offer children the chance to reflect on our core values and British values.
• We aim to celebrate our differences through our (soon to be annual!) Diversity Week.
• We focus upon one British Value per half term and assemblies and classes focus upon this.