Equality & Diversity

Equal Opportunities Statement

The Trust is committed to encouraging diversity and eliminating discrimination in both its role as an employer and as a provider of services. Our aim is that our staff are truly representative of all sections of society and work in an environment where everyone is respected and able to perform to the best of their ability. Our policy is to provide equality and fairness for all in our employment and in our provision of services and not to discriminate on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or age.

The Trust as an organisation opposes all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. It is our policy to provide a suitable environment for people with disabilities. All reasonable facilities will be provided for staff and volunteers with disabilities to perform their roles without difficulty or disadvantage.

The organisation will not tolerate direct or indirect discrimination against any person on grounds of age, disability, gender / gender reassignment, marriage / civil partnership, pregnancy / maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation whether in the field of recruitment, terms and conditions of employment, career progression, training, transfer, or dismissal.

It is also the responsibility of all staff in their daily actions, decisions, and behaviour to endeavour to promote these concepts, to comply with all relevant legislation and to ensure that they do not discriminate against colleagues, parents, children, suppliers, or any other person associated with the Trust.

As a public body, Acorn Multi Academy Trust complies with The Equality Act (2010), which protects individuals against direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the basis of the nine protected characteristics.

The Equality Act (2010) consolidates and replaces all previous equalities legislation such as the Race Relations Act, Disability Discrimination Act and Sex Discrimination Act.

The Public Sector Equality Duty places additional duties on public sector organisations such as multi-academy trusts. The duties include working proactively to eliminate discrimination on the basis of the nine protected characteristics. The duties also require public bodies to have due regard to the need to:

  • Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other prohibited conduct under the Equality Act (2010)

  • Advance equality of opportunity between people of different groups

  • Foster good relations between people from different groups

Acorn Multi Academy Trust is committed to adopting the aims of the PSED in all our schools and workplaces. The Public Sector Equality Duty introduces legislation in the form of specific duties. The duties require schools to:

  • Publish information to demonstrate how they are complying with the PSED. This information must include, in particular, information relating to people who share a protected characteristic

  • Prepare and publish equality objectives

The Trust has set equality objectives to support our compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty. Our equality objectives help focus attention on our priority equality issues in order to deliver improvements in the delivery of high-quality education, policy making and employment.

The Trust's policies are designed to promote and ensure equality for all pupils and staff, and are underpinned by our overarching Equality Policy.

Staff benefits such as leave entitlements; support for parents and carers; career development opportunities and flexible working provisions are open to all staff irrespective of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage/civil partnership status, race, religion/belief or sexual orientation.

It is the intention of the Trust to provide a working environment which promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of work life and activity, support a safe culture, free of intimidation, bullying or harassment.

Our academies are committed to supporting and promoting inclusion for pupils. A key aim of the Trust and each of its academies is to help all pupils, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, to achieve their very best and become successful, well rounded individuals.

Acorn MAT Equality Policy & Objectives