Inclusion Hampshire Equality Duty
What is the Equality Act 2010?

The Equality Act 2010 covers all aspects of school life to do with how a school treats pupils and prospective pupils, parents and carers, employees, and members of the community. Everything a school does must be fair, non-discriminatory and not put individuals or groups of people at a disadvantage. In particular, a school must not discriminate, harass or victimise a pupil or potential pupil in relation to:

•Admissions.

•The way it provides education for pupils.

•How it provides pupils access to any benefit, facility or service.

• Excluding a pupil or subjecting them to any other detriment.

What actions and behaviours are unlawful under the Act?
The Act defines a number of types of unlawful behaviour, including:

•Direct discrimination.

•Indirect discrimination.

•Failing to make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils or staff.

•Discrimination arising from disability.

•Harassment related to a protected characteristic.

• Victimisation of someone because they have made, or helped with, a complaint about discrimination.

Protected characteristics
The Act uses the term “protected characteristics” to refer to aspects of a person’s identity. Treating a person less favourably because they have one or more of these characteristics would be unlawful. The protected characteristics are:

•Age.

•Disability.

•Gender reassignment.