Introduction
Waycroft Academy, part of the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), recognises, and celebrates diversity, including that which exists within our student and staff populations and the communities we serve. We are committed to advancing equal opportunities for all and eliminating discrimination on any basis, including disability, ethnicity, sex, gender reassignment, age (except pupils), marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, and religion or belief (defined as Protected Characteristics) so that equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) underpin all we do.
Commitment to Equalities Act
We recognise the following duties under the Equality Act 2010:
• Eliminating discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act
• Advancing equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
• Fostering good relations across characteristics – between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
• Regardless of the statutory responsibilities the CLF recognises the positive impact that a cohesive and inclusive EDI strategy can achieve.
EDI work and success at Waycroft Academy
Throughout the academic year 2024-25, We have worked to:
Reinforce the school values (introduced in 2023-24, one of which is, ‘Respectful’.
Review the texts that each year group uses to ensure they reflect a range of cultures.
Develop our pupils’ understanding of respect, through assemblies and our curriculum.
Celebrate differences by recognising and exploring some key national days e.g. neurodiversity, mental health, black history month etc.
Objective/Actions for 2025-26
Involve our school council in understanding this statement being involved in these actions.
Promote EDI through whole school and key stage assemblies, as well as through our PSHE curriculum.
Specifically ensure that ‘Black History Month’ (October) is within our assemblies and learning
Ensure that families who are new to our school have the necessary information available in their language and that we have are able to communicate sufficiently with them.
Further revise the texts that are used within whole class reading and class novel time to ensure they reflect a broad range of cultures, races, disabilities, religions etc.
Regularly communicate positive values through our newsletter and social media (in the form of photos, links to resources or specific communication about EDI).
How will this be achieved and by who?
The senior leadership team will include EDI regularly within their meetings to ensure that these actions take place and are reviewed for impact. The Operations Manager and office staff will be asked to ensure that they are immediately able to support non-English speaking families who join our school.
Closing Statement
In the last few years we have seen a change in the catchment area of our academy, with a number of children joining the school mid-year being EAL. In many cases the families do not speak English. The actions above are therefore highly important in ensuring that we have good communication and give everyone who currently attends Waycroft, as well as those new to our school, a sense of belonging
