Menu
Home Page

Protective Characteristics

The 2010 Equality Act makes it an offense to discriminate against a person due to their protected characteristic(s). It is important that all pupils gain an understanding of the world they are growing up in and learn how to live alongside and show respect for a diverse range of people.

 

To find out more about what protected characteristics are and what they mean, please read below: 

 

It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of: 

 

  • age
  • disability
  • gender reassignment
  • marriage and civil partnership
  • pregnancy and maternity
  • race
  • religion or belief
  • sex
  • sexual orientation

 

These are called Protected Characteristics.

Age

A person belonging to a particular age (for example 32 year olds) or range of ages (for example 18 to 30 year olds). 

 

Disability

A person has a disability if she or he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on that person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

 

Gender reassignment

The process of transitioning from one sex to another.

 

Marriage and civil partnership

Marriage is a union between a man and a woman or between a same-sex couple.

Same-sex couples can also have their relationships legally recognised as 'civil partnerships'. Civil partners must not be treated less favourably than married couples (except where permitted by the Equality Act).

 

Pregnancy and maternity

Pregnancy is the condition of being pregnant or expecting a baby. Maternity refers to the period after the birth, and is linked to maternity leave in the employment context. In the non-work context, protection against maternity discrimination is for 26 weeks after giving birth, and this includes treating a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding.

 

Race

Refers to the protected characteristic of race. It refers to a group of people defined by their race, colour, and nationality (including citizenship) ethnic or national origins.

 

Religion and belief

Religion refers to any religion, including a lack of religion. Belief refers to any religious or philosophical belief and includes a lack of belief. Generally, a belief should affect your life choices or the way you live for it to be included in the definition.

 

Sex

A man or a woman.

 

Sexual orientation

Whether a person's sexual attraction is towards their own sex, the opposite sex or to both sexes. 

The 9 Protected Characteristics are actively promoted in school through:

 

  • Our school ethos statements, SDP, and SES
  • Our school core values
  • Our school behaviour policy
  • Conscious role modelling by all adults in the school community
  • Active engagement and communication with parents and carers
  • Assemblies
  • British Values themes for a day, week and term
  • Discussion within curriculum subjects, taking a cross-curricular approach
  • Promoting articulation by building appropriate language and a coherent vocabulary
  • Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) sessions (Jigsaw)
  • Religious Education (RE) lessons, RSE lessons and Protected Characteristic talks and stories
  • Pupil Voice
  • Educational visits
  • Real-life learning outside the classroom
  • Guest speakers
  • Developing links with local communities
  • Extra-curricular activities, after-school clubs, charity work and work within the local community

 

Embedding Protected Characteristics into the whole ethos of Combs Infant School promotes:

 

  • Self-esteem, self-knowledge and self-confidence
  • Respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process
  • Acceptance of responsibility for their own behaviour
  • Respect for their own and other cultures
  • Understanding of how they can contribute positively to school and home life and to the lives of those living and working in the locality
  • An understanding of Equality, Human Rights and Protected Characteristics
  • An understanding of how people can influence decision-making through the democratic process
  • An appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individuals and is essential for their wellbeing and safety
  • An understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
  • An acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
  • An understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination

 

How do we focus on this in our school?

 

Through our school get togethers children learn about diversity and inclusion through shared stories each week. 

We are focusing predominantly on 

 

  • sex
  • religion or belief
  • race
  • disability
  • age

 

as these are the most age appropriate for our children.

 

At Combs Infant School, we teach all of the children the importance of protected characteristics and what they are. This is usually alongside the PSHE curriculum and through appropriate texts.

 

 

Our Protective Characteristics Book Spine

Top