Protected Characteristics

The Equality Act became law in 2010 and this protects people from discrimination. Under the Equality Act, there are nine Protected Characteristics:

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

You are protected from discrimination:

• at work
• in education
• as a consumer
• when using public services
• when buying or renting property
• as a member or guest of a private club or association

You are also protected from discrimination if:

• you are associated with someone who has a protected characteristic, for example a family member or friend
• you have complained about discrimination or supported someone else’s claim

The 9 Protected Characteristics are actively promoted at our school through:

• Our core values
• Character Education Programme
• Faculty curriculums
• Our behaviour policy
• Conscious role modelling by all adults in the school community
• Active engagement and communication with parents and carers
• Assemblies
• PSHE lessons
• RE lessons
• Tutor activities
• Sporting, Art and Cultural Events
• Educational visits
• Real-life learning outside the classroom
• Guest speakers
• Developing links with local, national and international communities
• Extra-curricular activities
• Charity work

Embedding Protected Characteristics into the whole ethos of Moulsham High School promotes:

• An understanding of the importance of recognising and combating discrimination
• An increase in self-confidence, self-esteem and self-knowledge
• Responsibility for their own behaviour
• Respect for different cultures
• Understanding of how they can contribute positively to lives of others
• An understanding of Equality, Human Rights and Protected Characteristics
• An acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour