RACE EQUALITY POLICY

Preamble

• Schools have to have, by law, an explicit Race Equality Policy separate from, or as a clearly identified part of, their Equal Opportunities Policy.
• Race, within the Commission for Racial Equality Code of Practice, is defined as ‘colour,culture, or ethnic origin’.
• Whilst Aske’s has a comprehensive Equal Opportunities Policy which we believe fully incorporates the concept of Race Equality it is, nevertheless, important that the major amendments to the 1976 Race Relations Act are acknowledged.     The College’s Religious Studies and Collective Worship Policies also contribute to the Race Equality Policy particularly in relation to cultural and religious customs.
• This Race Equality Policy will satisfy these amendments. It will be monitored, evaluated and amended regularly following consultation with students, staff and governors.
• All aspects of the college will be affected and Part II sets out some of the questions we will need to be able to answer.
• This policy has been guided by the model suggested by the Secondary Heads Association; subject to discussion at all levels within the college and ratified by the Governing Body.

• The college is committed to:

• actively tackling racial discrimination, promoting equal opportunities and good race relations

• encouraging, supporting, and helping all pupils and staff to reach their potential

• working with parents, and with the wider community, to tackle racial discrimination and to follow and promote good practice

• ensuring this race equality policy and its procedures are followed.

1. Governing Body

The governors are responsible for:

• ensuring that the college complies with the amended Race Relations Act 1976
• ensuring this race equality policy and its procedures are followed.

The Principal is responsible for:

• ensuring this race equality policy is readily available and that governors, staff, pupils, and parents know about it
• ensuring this race equality policy and its procedures are followed
• monitoring the policy
• ensuring that all staff know their responsibilities and receive training and support in carrying these out
• taking appropriate action in cases of racial harassment and racial discrimination.

3. All Staff

All staff are responsible for :

• dealing with racist incidents, and being able to recognise and deal with racial bias and stereotyping
• promoting equal opportunities, good race relations, and avoiding discrimination against anyone for reasons of race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins
• keeping up to date with the law on discrimination, and taking up training and learning opportunities.

4. Staff with specific responsibilities

The Principal and Chairman of Governors are responsible for:

• coordinating work on race equality
• dealing with reports of racist incidents.

5. Visitors and Contractors

• Visitors and contractors are responsible for:

• knowing, and following, the race equality policy of which they will be given a copy where appropriate.

Planning and Developing Policy

• the college will consider the implications for race equality in its planning and implementation of policies
• where appropriate the college will build race equality targets into its strategic planning

Ethnic Monitoring

• the college will collect ethnic data to monitor student attainment and progress, and to set targets
• the college will use ethnic data – for example on attainment, progress, exclusions, attendance, sanctions and rewards – to inform planning and decision-making.

Assessing and Reviewing Policies

• to monitor, assess and review this policy and strategies relevant to race equality
• to incorporate race equality into self-review and evaluation.

Publishing the Results of Monitoring

• the college will publish annually the results of its monitoring
• the college will ensure that any information published cannot be used to identify individuals.

The college will ensure

• that the policy will be available to all requesting a copy
• that all staff, governors and visiting contractors receive a copy of the policy

Questions taking account of race equality should be built into other policies.

How do you make sure that you have equally high expectations of all pupils?

How do you recognise and value different kinds of achievement?

Do you monitor attainment and progress by racial group, and analyse the information to identify trends and any patterns of underachievement?

How do you make sure your procedures for disciplining students and managing behaviour are fair to students from all racial groups?

Do you monitor exclusions?

Are rewards and sanctions used consistently?

Do inclusion strategies consider the needs of all racial groups?

Is your policy open to students from all racial groups?

Do you monitor the admission process to ensure consistency and fairness?

Do you monitor attendance by pupil’s racial group?

Does curriculum planning ensure that the principle of race equality and the value of diversity is incorporated?

Do you ensure that there is opportunity for students to explore questions of identify, race equality and racism?

How is the curriculum monitored to assess whether it helps all students to achieve their full potential?

What opportunities exist to allow students to experience other cultures?

Do extra-curricular activities cater for all students and take into account parents’ concerns about religion or culture?

Does pastoral support take into account religious and ethnic differences and the experiences and needs of all particular groups of students such as travellers refugees and asylum seekers?

Are work placements monitored by racial group to ensure that there is no stereotyping?

What support do you provide for victims of racial harassment through college and outside agencies?

How do you create an environment where all students can contribute and feel valued?

How does teaching take account of cultural backgrounds, language needs and different learning styles?

How are different cultural traditions valued and made meaningful?

How are stereotypes challenged?

What steps are taken to encourage all parent to be involved with the college?

How do you ensure that all information conveyed to parents is written clearly and is available, where necessary, in language other than English and in special formats?

How do you ensure accessibility to premises and facilities?

How do you promote good personal and community relations?

What steps do you take to prevent racial discrimination?

March2004