Equality Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

Equality Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

At Pickhurst Academy, we are proud to be a community that celebrates diversity, promotes inclusion, and champions equality of opportunity for all. We believe every pupil, staff member, and family should feel valued, respected, and supported within our school environment.

We are committed to ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and with dignity, regardless of their background, beliefs, gender, ethnicity, disability, or any other characteristic. Our approach to EDI is embedded throughout our curriculum, policies, and daily practice, helping every child to thrive in a culture of respect, understanding, and belonging.

We continually review our policies and practices to make sure they reflect our ongoing commitment to equality and inclusion across every aspect of school life.

Please click below to view our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policies:

Aims                                                                                                                                                                              
Our school aims to meet its obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) by having due regard to the need to:
  • Eliminate discrimination 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
  • Foster good relations across all characteristics – between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it

Pickhurst Academy awarded the prestigious Bronze Race Charter Mark

We are very proud to announce that Pickhurst Academy, has been awarded the Bronze Race And Conscious Equality (RACE) Chartermark from Fig Tree International, which provides advice, challenge and support for schools across the UK and internationally.

The award is in recognition of the work Pickhurst Academy, and the Chancery Academy Trust, have undertaken in recent year in promoting improvement in relation to race equality, inclusion and diversity.

Angelina Idun, Director of Education, SSAT said:

“I am delighted that Pickhurst Academy  has been awarded the Bronze RACE Charter mark. Their application and action plan clearly show a positive ethos and culture which champions and strives for conscious equality and inclusivity throughout the school community. We look forward to continuing to work with the school to see their strategic vision fully realised”

Ann Palmer, CEO, Fig Tree International said:

“I am absolutely delighted that Pickhurst Academy is receiving this recognition.  This recognises their determination to make a difference, not only in their own school, but also in the local community.  Pickhurst Academy has joined a great group of schools and colleges who are part of the RACE Charter Mark community. We applaud them for their work and aspirations to build a more inclusive society.”

How we have achieved Race Charter Mark

At Pickhurst Academy, we are committed to improving race equality and prioritising an inclusive culture.  Our commitment to diversity permeates within each strand of our school, from our leadership, to our staff, our exceptional students, and the curriculum that our students engage with every day. We will ensure that our vibrant school community continues to promote a positive ethos and culture which champions and strives for conscious equality and inclusivity.

The Schools, Students and Teachers network (SSAT) and Fig Tree International have worked in partnership to develop the Race and Conscious Equality (RACE) Charter Mark for schools, academies, colleges and centres, both in the state and private sectors. The Race Charter Mark is for those institutions that wish to demonstrate their commitment to action and improvement in relation to race equality in all aspects of their work, as educators, employers and community leaders.

The RACE (Race and Conscious Equality) Charter Mark offers a formal way of championing race equality and confirming to all stakeholders that we are prioritising an inclusive culture where staff, students, parents and partners of all ethnicities are valued.

The Charter Mark process results in a dynamic action plan, which works alongside or organisation’s strategic planning documentation and is reviewed regularly to ensure that progress is being made and sustained.

The areas covered by the RACE Charter Mark, on which we will be working, are:

  • Race at work
  • Assessing equality
  • Leadership and management
  • Conscious curriculum
  • Professional development
  • Stakeholder engagement

Our senior leaders, appointed to spearhead our work on the RACE Charter Mark is Mrs Hewitt (Deputy Headteacher), Miss D’Costa (Assistant Headteacher) and Miss Mootoo (Assistant Headteacher).

Mrs Holly Hewitt

Miss D’Costa

Miss Mootoo

Our governing body are also fully supportive of our work in this area. Please see a quote from Angel Boyce our Chair of the Local Governing Board:

As Chair of the Local Governing Board, I have had the privilege of witnessing Pickhurst Academy’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equality during my many visits to the school. The academy has actively embraced the principles outlined in the Race Charter Mark, fostering an environment where every student feels valued, regardless of their background. Through initiatives like culturally responsive teaching, diversity-focused curriculum enhancements, and staff training on unconscious bias, the school has demonstrated a genuine commitment to tackling racial inequalities. I have seen first-hand how these efforts are embedded in daily practice, ensuring that the school is a welcoming, inclusive place for all.For more information about the RACE Charter Mark, please click here.