What is Equality & Diversity?

‘Equality’ means treating all groups of people fairly, providing equality of opportunity and removing barriers to success. It is not about treating everybody the same because different people have different needs. For example, making reasonable adjustments for disabled people (like providing additional time in exams for dyslexic learners) removes barriers to equality of opportunity and helps prevent discrimination. Increasing our understanding of the needs of different groups of people promotes good relations between people.

Equality protected characteristics
Equality laws exist to protect the groups of people who have traditionally faced discrimination. These groups of people share ‘equality protected characteristics’ such as:

1. age,
2. disability (including physical, mental and learning impairments),
3. race,
4. sex,
5. pregnancy, maternity and breastfeeding,
6. gender identity,
7. marriage or civil partnership status,
8. religion or belief
9. sexual orientation.

Everyone has several of these protected characteristics therefore everyone is protected by equality legislation from discrimination in education, at work and in other situations.

What is Diversity?

‘Diversity’ refers to individual difference. People are unique and differ from one another in a range of ways. Differences may or may not be visible and may include personal characteristics such as background, culture and personality. We value diversity, which means that we aim to realise the potential of every individual learner and staff member.