Equality Statement

At Heron Academy, we celebrate the individuality of every pupil and are committed to providing a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where all pupils can thrive.

As a Special School, we recognise that equality is not about treating everyone the same, but about ensuring equity, accessibility and personalised support so every pupil can achieve their full potential.

In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Heron Academy actively promotes equality of opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents, carers and visitors. We oppose discrimination on the grounds of:

• Age

• Disability

• Gender reassignment

• Marriage and civil partnership

• Pregnancy and maternity

• Race, ethnicity or nationality

• Religion or belief

• Sex

• Sexual orientation

Our Commitments

At Heron Academy, we aim to:

• Provide a curriculum and learning environment tailored to the diverse needs of our pupils.

• Remove or reduce barriers to learning through personalised support, reasonable adjustments and specialist provision.

• Promote communication, independence and emotional wellbeing for all pupils.

• Foster a culture of respect, inclusivity and dignity for every member of the school community.

• Challenge all forms of discriminatory language, behaviour or attitudes.

• Work in close partnership with families, therapists, external agencies and the wider community to ensure equality of access to education and enrichment.

• Ensure that all policies and practices reflect our commitment to equality and SEND inclusion.

Public Sector Equality Duty

As part of our responsibilities under the Public Sector Equality Duty, we are committed to:

• Eliminating discrimination, harassment and victimisation, including those related to disability and additional needs.

• Advancing equality of opportunity by identifying individual needs early, providing targeted support and monitoring progress to reduce inequalities.

• Fostering good relations by promoting understanding, empathy and positive attitudes towards disability and diversity.

Monitoring and Review

We regularly review our policies, practice, provision and data to ensure we continue to meet the diverse needs of our students.