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Protected Characteristics

Protected Characteristics

The 9 Protected Characteristics

The Equality Act became law in 2010 and this protects people from discrimination. Under the Equality Act, there are nine Protected Characteristics:

  • Disability
  • Race
  • Religion or belief
  • Sex
  • Age
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage or civil partnership
  • Sexual orientation
  • Pregnancy and maternity

You are protected from discrimination:

  • at work
  • in education
  • as a consumer
  • when using public services
  • when buying or renting property
  • as a member or guest of a private club or association

You are also protected from discrimination if:

  • you are associated with someone who has a protected characteristic, for example a family member or friend
  • you have complained about discrimination or supported someone else’s claim

The 9 Protected Characteristics are actively promoted at our school through:

  • Our core values
  • Faculty curriculums
  • Our behaviour policy
  • Conscious role modelling by all adults in the school community
  • Active engagement and communication with parents and carers
  • Assemblies
  • PDT lessons
  • PER lessons
  • Tutor activities
  • Sporting, Art and Cultural Events, including Notley Aspire
  • Educational visits
  • Guest speakers
  • Developing links with other communities 
  • Extra-curricular activities
  • Charity events 

Embedding Protected Characteristics into the whole ethos of Notley High School promotes:

  • An understanding of the importance of recognising and combating discrimination
  • An increase in self-confidence, self-esteem and self-knowledge
  • Responsibility for their own behaviour
  • Respect for different cultures
  • Understanding of how they can contribute positively to lives of others
  • An understanding of Equality, Human Rights and Protected Characteristics
  • 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

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