Equality 

At Thornham St James Primary School, we are committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination, in line with the Equality Act 2010. Our Christian vision calls us to treat everyone with dignity, compassion and fairness, recognising the inherent worth of every individual.

We actively promote understanding, respect and inclusion in relation to the nine protected characteristics:

  • Age

  • Disability

  • Gender reassignment

  • Marriage and civil partnership

  • Pregnancy and maternity

  • Race

  • Religion or belief

  • Sex

  • Sexual orientation

How We Promote Equality and Inclusion

  • Creating a safe, inclusive environment where everyone is respected and valued

  • Teaching pupils to recognise and challenge discrimination and prejudice

  • Ensuring our curriculum reflects diverse experiences, cultures and role models

  • Promoting positive language, respectful behaviour and empathy

  • Supporting pupils and families through inclusive policies and practices

  • Working closely with parents, carers and external agencies to remove barriers to learning

Through education, dialogue and example, we empower our pupils to grow into confident, compassionate and respectful citizens, ready to contribute positively to an inclusive and just society.

Collective Worship 

At Thornham St James Primary School, both British Values and equality, including the protected characteristics, are given a high profile through weekly collective worship. Each week, worship provides a dedicated opportunity for pupils to reflect on these themes in the light of our Christian vision Journeying Together, We Shine and our school values.

Through worship, pupils are encouraged to think deeply, ask questions and make meaningful connections between faith, values and life in modern Britain. This regular focus ensures that British Values and equality are not treated as standalone concepts, but as lived principles that shape behaviour, attitudes and relationships across the school community.

Picture News Assemblies

We use Picture News as a key driver in bringing British Values and equality to the forefront of weekly learning and worship. Picture News assemblies provide a carefully chosen, age-appropriate stimulus linked to current events and real-world issues, enabling pupils to explore themes such as democracy, justice, respect, tolerance and individual liberty in a meaningful and accessible way.

These assemblies encourage pupil voice, discussion and oracy, helping children to articulate their views respectfully, listen to others and develop informed opinions. By linking current affairs with our school values and Christian ethos, Picture News helps pupils understand how British Values and respect for protected characteristics are relevant in their everyday lives, both now and as future citizens.

British Values 

At Thornham St James Primary School, promoting British Values is integral to our Christian vision of Journeying Together, We Shine (Matthew 5:16). Guided by our values of wisdom, compassion, community, service, creativity and thankfulness, we are committed to developing pupils who are respectful, responsible and ready to contribute positively to society.

We actively promote the fundamental British Values of:

  • Democracy

  • The Rule of Law

  • Individual Liberty

  • Mutual Respect

  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

These values are woven through our curriculum, worship, policies and daily life, enabling pupils to flourish academically, socially and spiritually.

 

How do we live this out? 

Democracy

We promote democracy by:

  • School Councils, with members elected by their peers

  • Regular pupil voice opportunities, including questionnaires and consultations

The Rule of Law

We promote the rule of law through:

  • Strong links with local police, fire services and the Crucial Crew programme

  • A clear and consistently applied Behaviour Policy

  • Classroom expectations and shared rules

  • Restorative conversations

  • Clear expectations around school uniform, reinforcing belonging and shared standards

Individual Liberty

We promote individual liberty by:

  • Encouraging pupils to express their views, opinions and beliefs respectfully, knowing they are valued and listened to within a safe, supportive environment

  • Teaching pupils to make informed choices and understand the impact of those choices on themselves and others

  • Developing personal responsibility through PSHE, Life Education and e-safety, including understanding rights, risks and staying safe

  • Providing opportunities for pupils to explore and celebrate identity, diversity and difference through high-quality literature, curriculum content and enrichment experiences that reflect the rich tapestry of modern British life

  • Offering a wide range of extra-curricular clubs and activities, enabling pupils to pursue interests and talents by choice

  • Encouraging full participation in all aspects of school life—academic, creative, sporting and spiritual—so that every child is empowered to flourish as an individual

Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

We promote tolerance by:

  • Delivering a broad and balanced Religious Education curriculum, rooted in Christian values, while thoughtfully exploring a wide range of world faiths and beliefs

  • Encouraging pupils to ask meaningful questions, reflect deeply and engage in respectful dialogue about belief, faith and worldview, recognising that questioning is an important part of understanding

  • Helping pupils to identify and celebrate both shared human values—such as kindness, service, forgiveness and compassion—and differences in belief and practice, fostering unity as well as respect

  • Providing opportunities to visit and learn about places of worship, enabling pupils to encounter faith in lived and authentic contexts

  • Using collective worship and assemblies to celebrate religious festivals and cultural traditions from a range of faiths, helping pupils to understand the importance of belief in shaping identity and community

  • Creating a school culture where curiosity, openness and understanding are actively encouraged, and where difference is seen as something to be valued

Mutual Respect

We promote mutual respect by:

  • Teaching respect and relationships through our PSHE curriculum

  • Challenging prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes

  • Delivering anti-bullying, safeguarding and e-safety education

  • Fostering positive relationships across the whole school community

  • Engaging in charitable fundraising and acts of service

  • Celebrating diversity in faith, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexuality and family background

 

 

Equality Objectives

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Public Sector Equality Duty Statement

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