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