A guide to what schools can and can’t do in the name of equality and human rights
Christian teachers, parents and pupils are increasingly facing difficulties as the education system becomes more secular. Pressure groups with their own agendas are approaching schools offering advice, training and resources. Often this is backed up with vague appeals to the ‘Equality Act’ to make schools feel they have no alternative but to follow the advice given.
This short guide sets out to debunk the myths surrounding what schools in England, Wales and Scotland are required to do because of the Equality Act 2010. It also spells out the protections both the Equality Act and the Human Rights Act 1998 afford to religious pupils and parents.
This guide is written primarily for parents and pupils, although others will find it very useful.
Attributions
- fp Girl in a classroom: https://www.123rf.com/photo_42401952_portrait-of-pupil-in-classroom-with-teacher.html
- p6&7 Students walking to class: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/walking-to-class-gm911026578-250870649
- p7 The Discovery of the Gunpowder Plot, by Henry Perronet Briggs: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Guy_fawkes_henry_perronet_briggs.jpg
- p8&9 Student being bullied: https://www.rawpixel.com/image/193806/premium-photo-image-child-abuse-bullying-adolescent
- p9 Man looking in the mirror: https://www.123rf.com/photo_43277074_ego-business-man-looking-in-the-mirror-and-reflecting.html
- p9 Prefect badge: https://www.123rf.com/photo_91935152_young-person-in-blue-school-uniform-with-a-prefect-badge.html
- p10 Ichthys badge: https://www.zazzle.co.uk/i_just_support_fish_ichthys_symbol_3_cm_round_badge-145914912167628287
- p11 Pupils sitting exams https://www.123rf.com/photo_42402513_elementary-school-pupils-sitting-examination-in-classroom.html
- p12 Boy with head down: https://www.rawpixel.com/image/192716/premium-photo-image-bully-adolescent-background
- p13 Pupil learning badminton: https://stock.adobe.com/uk/images/teacher-giving-female-pupil-badminton-lesson/125097189
- p13 Children in clasroom: https://www.123rf.com/photo_43346096_a-group-of-school-children-can-be-seen-working-on-digital-tablets-and-whiteboards-they-are-all.html
- p15 Students in classroom: https://stock.adobe.com/uk/images/teenage-student-answering-question-studying-in-classroom/29495368
- p18 Trans flag: https://www.flickr.com/photos/governortomwolf/437209076308
- p19 Student with hand raised: https://www.123rf.com/photo_91940621_female-student-raising-hand-to-ask-question-in-classroom.html
- p21 Boy writing with pencil: https://www.123rf.com/photo_42271058_teacher-helping-male-pupil-with-practising-writing-at-desk.html
- p24 Gender toilet symbol: https://www.flickr.com/photos/doctorow/46771613705/
- p25 Student writing at desk: https://stock.adobe.com/uk/images/diligent-student-sitting-at-desk-classroom/53444881
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