Multicultural Education

We understand Multicultural Society to mean cultural diversity in terms of race, social background, religion, language etc.

We take racism to mean intercultural attitudes encompassing prejudice and discrimination against any individual or group on the basis of religion, language, culture or colour.

Difference does NOT imply inferiority.

This school firmly believes that it is vital for all its pupils to develop, as part of their education, a full understanding and positive appreciation of the multi-cultural society in which they live.

This school aims to meet the needs of all pupils, having regard to race, culture, language, religion, social background, gender and mental and physical ability.

This school is wholly opposed to racism and condemns expressions of racist attitudes, either through remarks or conduct. Any such incidents will be recorded by the Education for All Co-ordinator, and where necessary further disciplinary measures may be instigated.

This school firmly believes in the principle of equality in rights, opportunity and justice for all.

This school welcomes and will encourage the involvement of all groups within the community in the life of the school.

These principles are to inform and guide every group involved in the school. The extent to which these are met will be monitored and evaluated with sensitivity.

Gender

The Equal Opportunities/Gender Statement sets out the policies and practices which provide equal access and rights. It seeks to remove discrimination against people on the basis of their gender and sexual orientation.

It is the aim of this policy to promote equality of the sexes by encouraging positive attitudes and behaviour within our school community.

It is directed at everyone within and having contact with the institution known as Earlsheaton High School Technology College including pupils, support staff, teaching staff, caretaking staff and visitors.

Any offensively sexist behaviour on the part of any member of school will not be accepted. It is possible to tell someone politely that their attitude/behaviour offends.

Non-sexist words will be used in all situations where possible.

Any sexist behaviour may be reported to the Education for All Co-ordinator or the Headteacher, where it will be dealt with in a suitable way.

The Education for All Co-ordinator will record sexist incidents in a similar way to those of a racist nature.

The school curriculum provides a balanced education which is accessible to all pupils whatever their gender, ability or background. All subjects and their content should be of equal interest to girls and boys. Pupils taking up non-traditional subjects may need additional support. Assumptions about capabilities in certain subjects, associated with one sex, may need countering.

It is important that an atmosphere is fostered within school in which everyone is given the respect they are due regardless of their gender.

Every faculty and member of staff should give due regard to gender issues in any consideration of their aims, objectives, class organisation and ethos.

Resources play an important part in any educative process and the hidden message they contain helps shape the way that pupils perceive themselves and their place in society. Whilst it is not intended to present women and men as identical, a realistic picture of society needs to be presented. Resources need to be chosen very carefully to select non-sexist material. All new resources should be thoroughly vetted using a checklist provided. Resources that are already in existence need checking for stereotyping and sexism. If practical they should cease to be used, but it is possible to use the misrepresentation as a valuable teaching aid.

All departments will be responsible for their own implementation and monitoring.

Each year a gender evaluation of external testing and examination performance takes place and a report is made to the Head of Department Meeting dealing with examination results.

From September 1997 it has been school policy to seat pupils in mixed gender groups wherever practicable.

Departments are asked annually to review their strategies to raise the attainment of boys and to amend/add to these where necessary.

Disability

All children have a right to "mainstream" education if they can benefit from it.

Physical disability should not be a barrier to the achieve­ment of this goal.

At Earlsheaton we will respond to the needs of the physically disabled by:

• Modifying the building to ease mobility problems for all physically disabled users, e.g. improving access, the provision of handrails etc
• Providing support staff time for physically disabled children
• Supporting parents who desire a place at Earlsheaton Technology College for their physically disabled child
• Promoting a climate among all members of the school community of acceptance of and support for the physically disabled
• Ensuring that such a climate does not foster patronising attitudes
• Addressing issues of physical disability through the curriculum