Equality Objectives

Equality Information and Objectives

Gumley House School FCJ is a welcoming community for pupils and staff of all faiths and none. More than a quarter of a million pupils and almost half of teachers in Catholic schools nationally are not of the Catholic faith. We are proud of our diversity and committed to ensuring that every member of our community is treated with dignity, respect and compassion.

Catholic schools are permitted, under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, to prioritise Catholic applicants in admissions and to reserve certain posts for practising Catholics. These provisions support the religious character of the school. However, we are equally committed to ensuring that our policies and practices do not disadvantage or discriminate against any pupil or family on the grounds of protected characteristics.

Guidance on the Equality Act and equality duties for schools can be found here.

Our Vision

At Gumley House School FCJ, our Vision and Values proclaim our commitment to being a community of personal and academic excellence. Strong in companionship, we recognise, nourish and celebrate the unique giftedness of every person. Through God’s grace, we aim for each young person to grow into their best self, with zest for life and the generosity to use their talents in the service of others.

Through this vision, the school promotes the individuality of all members of our community and actively challenges discrimination, prejudice and inequality.

Our Legal Duties

The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the grounds of protected characteristics: disability, gender, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and age.

Under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), we must have due regard to the need to:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination
• Advance equality of opportunity
• Foster good relations between people from different groups

We consciously consider these duties in all decision‑making, policy development, curriculum planning and performance management.

Our Commitment

We will ensure that every pupil, irrespective of race, disability, gender, religion or belief, sexual orientation or socio‑economic background, is able to achieve high standards. We monitor attainment, progress, behaviour, exclusions and participation to identify and address any disparities.

We ensure that all pupils have access to high‑quality teaching and support. Our behaviour and discipline procedures are fair, effective and equitable (see our Behaviour Policy).

We value diversity among staff and volunteers and seek to ensure that our workforce reflects the community we serve.

Anti‑Racism Statement

Gumley House School FCJ is committed to being an actively anti‑racist school.  We challenge racism in all its forms, educate pupils about racial justice, and ensure that our curriculum reflects diverse voices, histories and perspectives. Racist incidents are recorded, monitored and addressed robustly.

Equality Objectives (2026–2027)

1. Reduce racial disparities in behaviour and exclusion data by improving early intervention, staff training and parental engagement. Measured through termly analysis of behaviour logs and exclusion data.
2. Improve representation and diversity in the curriculum across English, History, RE and PSHE by embedding diverse texts, voices and perspectives. Measured through annual curriculum audits.
3. Increase the participation of disadvantaged pupils (including SEND and PP) in enrichment, leadership and extracurricular activities. Measured through participation tracking and student voice surveys.
4. Strengthen staff training on equality, unconscious bias and anti‑racism to ensure consistent practice across the school. Measured through training attendance and impact evaluations.
5. Improve parental engagement with under‑represented groups through targeted communication, translation support and community events. Measured through attendance data and feedback.

How We Comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty

Gumley House School FCJ meets the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) in the Equality Act 2010 by embedding equality considerations into all aspects of school life. We demonstrate compliance through the following actions:

1.  Eliminating Unlawful Discrimination

• All policies (including Behaviour, Admissions, SEND, Safeguarding, Anti‑Bullying and Curriculum) are equality‑screened and reviewed annually to ensure they do not disadvantage any protected group.
• We record, monitor and analyse all incidents of discrimination, harassment or victimisation, including racist, sexist, homophobic or disability‑related incidents, and take swift action.
• Staff receive regular training on equality, unconscious bias, anti‑racism and inclusive practice.

2. Advancing Equality of Opportunity

• We monitor attainment, progress, attendance, exclusions and participation for all protected groups and take targeted action where disparities are identified.
• We ensure that pupils with SEND, pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds, pupils eligible for the Pupil Premium and other vulnerable groups receive tailored support to achieve their highest potential.
• We provide financial assistance for uniform, trips and enrichment where needed, ensuring equal access to opportunities.
• We ensure recruitment processes are fair, transparent and encourage applications from under‑represented groups.

3.  Fostering Good Relations

• Our curriculum reflects diverse cultures, histories and perspectives, promoting respect, understanding and global citizenship.
• We celebrate cultural diversity through assemblies, events, PSHE, RE and whole‑school activities.
• We work closely with parents, carers and community groups to strengthen relationships and ensure all voices are heard.
• We promote student leadership and student voice, ensuring pupils from all backgrounds shape school improvement.

4. Transparency and Accountability

• We publish our Equality Objectives and review progress annually.
• We publish key policies and equality information on our website.
• Governors monitor equality compliance through termly reports and policy reviews.

These actions ensure that equality is not an isolated initiative but a continuous, embedded part of our culture, curriculum and decision‑making.