PROTECTED CHARACTERISTICS

The Equality Act 2010 aims to prevent discrimination. It is illegal to discriminate against people based on nine protected characteristics:

• age

• disability

• gender reassignment

• marriage and civil partnership

• pregnancy and maternity

• race: can refer to colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins

• religion or belief: can refer to religious or philosophical beliefs, including a lack of belief

• sex: refers to a person's gender

• sexual orientation

No form of discrimination is tolerated at West Leigh Junior School, but it is particularly important that children are taught about these protected characteristic groups and the importance of showing respect to people within these groups.

We address this in a number of ways, such as through our carefully timetabled assemblies that address respect and tolerance. We also ensure that our curriculum is planned and delivered in order that children learn about these protected characteristics in an age appropriate manner. Please see our PSHE curriculum map below which shows the different PSHE topics that include teaching of these protected characteristics across the school. The protected characteristics are shown in red.

In summary, these are the areas within our PSHE curriculum that you will find the protected characteristics taught: