OUR ETHOS

At Norton Hill Primary, we pride ourselves on the diverse curriculum we have developed, and continue to enrich, through ongoing reflection and collaboration.

We recognise how crucial our role as educators is in highlighting the many individuals who have contributed to the advancement of our country and our world, including those whom history may have overlooked or silenced. While every individual featured in our curriculum is selected on the basis of merit within their field, we also believe it is important to challenge Eurocentric biases. Through this, we aim to stimulate deeper critical thinking and promote intellectual diversity.

Black History Month remains an important part of our calendar. However, we are committed to moving beyond tokenistic gestures towards an intentionally inclusive and thoughtfully diverse curriculum, incorporating a wide range of texts, experiences, and topics throughout the year.

As a country, our history and global relationships are complex - filled with much to celebrate but also to question and reflect upon. At Norton Hill Primary, we encourage children to explore multiple viewpoints, engage in respectful debate, and ask meaningful questions about the world around them. We continue to uphold British Values at the heart of all we do, nurturing knowledgeable, respectful, and curious individuals ready to shape the next generation.

BEACON SCHOOL STATUS

In recognition of our work towards creating a diverse curriculum, we have been awarded the title of 'Beacon School' by the B&NES Race Equality and Hate Crime Task Force Partnership.

Norton Hill Primary School recognises our obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and is committed to equality, values diversity and actively supports practises that promote genuine equality of opportunity for all staff and children. 

We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, bullying and harassment and will make every effort to comply with the requirements of the Act and its subsequent provisions.

We comply with SEND Regulations 2014 and make our curriculum accessible for those with disabilities or special educational needs.

We aim to meet our obligations under the public sector equality duty by having due regard to the need to:

• eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act 2010;
• advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it; and
• foster good relations across all characteristics – between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

Promoting the 9 Protected Characteristics 

We strive to ensure our children understand: 

• There are no outsiders at Norton Hill Primary School

• Everyone is different

• We celebrate difference

• We are all equal in our difference 

The 9 Protected Characteristics 

Under the Equality Act, there are nine Protected Characteristics: 

• Age

• Disability

• Gender reassignment

• Race

• Religion or belief

• Marriage or civil partnership

• Sex

• Sexual orientation

• Pregnancy and maternity

We champion diversity and inclusion and embed the Protected Characteristics into the whole school ethos at Norton Hill Primary School by:

• Linking our whole-school assemeblies to diversity and equality

• Promoting the protective characteristics including high quality texts which promote diversity and inclusion

• Reading and discussing picture books and stories encourages respect and develops understanding of diversity

• Adopting a differentiated and adapted learning experience and environment for those with special educational needs and disabilities- supported by robust inclusion, equality and diversity policies and practises

• Developing children’s self-esteem, self-knowledge, self-confidence and resilience

• Understanding and celebrating differences and acknowledged the strengths of others

• Embedding a culture of respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process e.g. school council

• Using restorative approaches to support children to take responsibility for their own behaviour and to teach children to make good choices

• Teaching children to have respect for their own and other cultures

• We teach children that difference should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour

• Promoting an understanding of how we can all contribute positively to school and home life and to the lives of our local community 

• Having an understanding of Equality, Human Rights and Protected Characteristics, which is developed through staff CPD

• An understanding that we have the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law 

• Developing an understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination

• Working with parents and the wider community to take an active part in identifying barriers and informing school leaders of actions that can be taken to eradicate these

• We have the highest expectations for all our children and staff, and the wider community to ensure all children can flourish 

At Norton Hill Primary School, we achieve this through: 

• Our school vision and values statements, our SIP and SEF

• Our school behaviour policy

• Conscious role modelling by all adults in the school community

• Active engagement and communication with parents and carers

• The promotion of British Values in school life

• Developing a love of reading through a range of authors and genres

• Discussion within curriculum subjects, taking a cross-curricular approach, for example when we learn about relationships in RSE

• The Curriculum; Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) sessions and RSE lessons, Religious Education (RE) lessons and Collective Worship

• Sporting events/competitions 

• School Council

• Educational experiences and visits

• Real-life learning outside the classroom

• Extra-curricular activities, after-school clubs, charity work and work within the local community

• Safer recruitment, retention and staff development