Protected Characteristics

Every Child. Every Opportunity. Every Day.

At Greenfield Academy, we are proud to be a welcoming, inclusive and respectful school where every child is valued and supported to achieve their full potential.

Our ethos of Every Child. Every Opportunity. Every Day. means creating an environment where everyone feels safe, respected and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity, encourage kindness and help children develop the understanding and confidence to live and work alongside people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

As part of our Personal Development curriculum, children learn about the Protected Characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010. This helps them understand the importance of treating others with dignity and respect, challenging discrimination and valuing the differences that make our communities stronger.

What are the Protected Characteristics?

The Equality Act 2010 identifies nine Protected Characteristics. These are:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

Children learn about these characteristics in an age-appropriate way, helping them understand that everyone deserves to be treated fairly, with kindness and respect.

How We Teach This

Children develop their understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion through a wide range of experiences, including:

• our Personal Development curriculum
• tutor time and assemblies
• Religious Education
• curriculum lessons across all subjects
• British Values education
• themed awareness days and national events
• educational visits and enrichment opportunities
• student leadership activities
• charity and community projects
• positive relationships and everyday interactions across the school.

Learning is carefully planned so that children develop their understanding progressively as they move through school.

Creating an Inclusive Community

We believe that every child should feel that they belong.

We promote a culture where kindness, respect and empathy are part of everyday life. Children are encouraged to celebrate difference, challenge stereotypes and value the experiences and perspectives of others.

We have high expectations of how members of our school community treat one another. Any incidents of bullying, discrimination or prejudicial language are taken seriously, investigated thoroughly and addressed appropriately. Where incidents occur, we use them as opportunities to educate, promote understanding and reinforce our shared values.

Why This Matters

Helping children understand equality, inclusion and respect prepares them for life in modern Britain.

By learning about different people, cultures, beliefs and experiences, children develop the confidence to build positive relationships, challenge discrimination and contribute positively to their communities.

At Greenfield Academy, we want every child to leave us not only with excellent qualifications, but also with the character, empathy and understanding needed to thrive in an increasingly diverse society.

The Protected Characteristics at a Glance