Under the Equality Act 2010, we have a legal duty to publish information that shows compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty, and to publish our equality objectives.
Pupil equalities information 2024-2025
|
% of girls |
28% |
|
% of boys |
72% |
|
% of BAME students |
6% |
|
% special educational needs and/or disabilities |
100% |
School ethos and aims
Our school is an inclusive setting and our intention is to provide an environment in which students feel able to share their thoughts and feelings and gain the support they need in order to overcome any barriers they face. We strongly promote anti-bullying and our work to educate our students in relation to the nine protected characteristics within the Equality Act 2010 is key to ensuring inclusion. All of our students have SEND and we are sensitive to their needs and level of understanding.
Our teaching staff differentiate resources and materials for all lessons and activities related to equalities requires the same. We find that due to our students’ needs, they often require more support and more explanation in relation to such important issues. Students who require additional support can gain this through the adult support available, our wellbeing hub intervention or through specialist interventions. Support is directed on a needs-led basis and parents/carers and fully involved in decision-making around this offer of support.
Equalities group
Our whole school response to equalities issues is organised through our school equalities team which is made up of staff, students, parents/carers and governors. Our equalities group is focused on ensuring our schools fulfils it duties according to the Equality Act, 2010.
The group meet every half term and organise a range of activities, workshops and events to raise awareness and progress our equalities objectives.
Organisations we work with
The Just Like Us organisation has provided focused assemblies for students. This work has focused on a wider understanding of protected characteristics and a strong purpose relates to our anti-bullying approaches.
The work of the Equalities team has included additional training for staff, gathering pupil voice and parent voice, organising whole school assemblies/events that recognise and celebrate diversity such as School Diversity Week and Neurodiversity Celebration week.
Parents/carers are updated through our school newsletters and through receiving information about our SRE curriculum and what is available on our website. We welcome the views and involvement of parents and have been pleased to have parental representation on our Equalities working party.
Rights Respecting School
Alt Bridge School have been recognised as a Bronze and then silver level Rights Respecting School with UNICEF. We are due to be assessed for Gold level in 2025. An understanding of human rights and the rights of the child according to the UN Convention on Children’s’ Rights in embedded within our whole school culture and ethos. We are currently working towards the silver award and continue to refer to human rights in our discussions with students.
Neurodiversity Celebration
Each year we support the national neurodiversity celebration week in March and educate our students about a range of neurodiverse conditions which include;
- Autism
- ADHD
- Tourette’s Syndrome
- Dyspraxia
- Dyslexia
- Dysgraphia
- Dyscalculia
Our students often become very involved and many are proud to speak about their neurodiversity and how it makes them unique and also exceptional individuals. We also welcome speakers who can talk to students about their own neurodivergence, their achievements and challenges.
Girls
At Alt Bridge, our cohort of female pupils is typically around 25-30% of our whole school population, placing them in the minority. Our strategy for girls is to promote self-esteem, equal opportunity and empowerment. This year, we have supported the This Girl Can campaign through sports, enabling our female students to gain recognition and awards for their achievements in sports. We also provide girls focused extra-curricular sports clubs to support the participation of girls.
Our Wellbeing hub learning mentor team has also provided confidence building workshops for girls this year and has been involved in running focused sessions for girls in regards to healthy relationships.
Race quality
We have entered into a two year charter with the Anthony Walker Foundation who work with us to provide additional staff training, student workshops, assemblies and awareness raising events to tackle discrimination and work to prevent hate crimes from taking place.
We have designed our curriculum to ensure that our students have an understanding of a modern and fully representative society, ensuring there are many opportunities for them to learn about positive role models throughout history and also meet with modern day ones who inspire.
LGBTQ+ in the PSHCE Curriculum
The PSHCE Curriculum is informed by the Government`s Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education 2019 guidelines which came into effect in September 2020.
A graduated approach is used with themes being introduced in Year 7 which start from where pupils are at. Knowledge and understanding is then reinforced by revisiting topics in subsequent year groups by building on prior knowledge. Group discussions, lots of visual clues and interactive resources such as quizzes and apps help to make learning engaging.
In PSHCE all Relationship education lessons begin with an understanding of what the nine protected characteristics are and that these rights are protected by Law through the Equalities Act 2010.
In Year 9 PSHCE there is a focus on equality and respecting difference in relationship education and this includes pupils recognising the meaning of the terms prejudice and discrimination and stereotyping and the effect it has on others. Pupils know that people live their lives in different ways. Pupils again, are made aware of the term LGBTQ+.
Pupils can identify what pride represents and why it exists. Pupils are aware of different responses to pride around the world. Pupils can understand what is meant by homophobia and that it can be expressed in a number of ways. Pupils can say how homophobia affects people.
In Year 10 Sex and relationships PSHCE, pupils learn that there are different types of committed, stable relationships and recognise that sexual attraction and sexuality is diverse and the difference between biological sex, gender identity and sexual orientation. Pupil are made aware of terms such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender and gender fluid.
There are also lots of opportunity to explore LGBTQ+ organisations such as Stonewall through the Citizenship Curriculum when looking at themes of civil liberties in Year 8 and Human Rights in Year 11.
Promoting British Values
The Department for Education states that there is a need:
“To promote the fundamental British values”
Our school values of care, courtesy, resilience and determination reflect those of British values. The promotion and celebration of these values support pupils to grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults in British society.
We take a global approach to learning by introducing themes from the perspective of people and cultures from other countries. Global dimension work is embedded for example pupils have taken part on the World reimagined project from Liverpool Museum.
At Alt Bridge, we actively promote British values in the following ways:
DEMOCRACY
The principles of democracy is explored in the curriculum in PSHCE through Citizenship lessons.
Students attend the Hearts of Gold Citizenship workshop at The Shakespeare North Theatre and explore themes of democracy through Shakespeare`s texts.
RULE OF LAW
Pupils follow the Schools key expectations to attend and participate, be kind, ready to learn, communicate respectfully and stay safe.
These expectations are promoted in form tutor time and in assemblies. Rights are displayed prominently around the School on display boards.
Pupils earn Epraise merits/ rewards for following Schools key expectations
Pupils earn Head Teacher awards for following the Schools Core values in Heads of Year Assemblies and at end of term award assemblies.
In PSHCE pupils learn about their rights and responsibilities of being a citizen for example pupils learn about the laws on consent, joint enterprise and exploitation, drugs and alcohol, extremism and FGM.
In the Global Curriculum pupils learn the democratic values from events such as the Magna Carta. Pupils learn about Religious Laws such as the Ten Commandments and the Five Pillars of Islam.
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
A strong anti-bullying culture is embedded in the school. The school also operates a robust system of logging / following up incidents.
Pupils are encouraged to make choices. For example signing up for extra-curricular clubs, taking part in a residential trip, volunteering to be a representative for School council or Equalities group.
Pupils are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle this includes work on diet and exercise and health and hygiene in PSHCE, the benefits of staying active in PE and the limiting social media use in ICT.
Pupils are encouraged to manage their behaviour by using self-regulate techniques with the Zones of regulation. All pupils have a pupil profile to support this.
A rigorous Careers programme support pupils to challenge themselves and make positive choices about their future.
Philosophy for Schools is used in lessons encourage pupils to critically reflect on the world around them and think about the bigger picture.
MUTUAL RESPECT AND TOLERANCE OF THOSE WITH DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS
Care and courtesy are core values of our school. Pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, staff, pupils and visitors into School.
Pupils are helped to acquire an understanding of other cultures. Through the Global Curriculum, pupils learn about the Holocaust and visit Liverpool Synagogue and the Al Rahma Mosque for instance.
Through the Thriving Curriculum, pupils learn about differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations
We support many charities including the Zero food waste project, the UNICEF outright campaign, Children in Need, SHARE Shelter and the NSPCC.
We have hosted a Show racism the red card workshop for all pupils that supports pupils to see through stereotypes and challenge discrimination.