Equal Opportunities Policy

Channing School adheres to the Unitarian tradition that affords respect and toleration for all within a welcoming and inclusive community.  We aim to develop to the full each person’s academic potential, talents and self-confidence.  Prejudice or stereotyping must not be allowed to mar the progress or well-being of any member of the school community.

Governors, parents, staff and girls should all be aware of the possibility of discrimination and harassment based on someone’s age, accent, social class, racial and/or cultural background, political opinions, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief or disbelief, mental and physical aptitudes, nationality, length of time spent at school.

We take care to make girls aware of the persistent problems of inequality in the world outside school and to develop in them sympathy and concern for categories of people not found in the environment of a selective girls’ school.

A guide to what is fair and acceptable treatment by, and of, others is provided by the Channing Code of Positive Behaviour and The Golden Rules of Fairseat (the Junior School). Codes of behaviour are discussed by the girls with their form tutors. School Council also offers a forum for discussion.

The School will:
•    help all girls to develop self esteem and recognise that they are valued as individuals.
•    encourage all girls to be open-minded and to challenge prejudice.
•    enable girls to contribute actively to the education provided by bringing their cultural differences, values and perspectives to it.
•    not restrict access to any suitable academic course.
•    ensure that all girls have equal access to all non-academic activities, given any constraints of the school’s traditional provision and facilities.
•    be sensitive about equal opportunities issues in the content and processes of the curriculum which stereotype people or label them as inferior or limited.
•    act strongly to deal with any instances of intolerance, discrimination or victimisation.
•    use every opportunity available to foster the ethos of equal opportunities, particularly in form time, assemblies and in PSHE.
•    review uniform requirements routinely to ensure that there is no cultural or religious discrimination or conflict.
•    ensure girls learn about the basic beliefs, ceremonies, and festivals of the world religions.
•    allow girls, with prior notification, to observe specific religious celebrations, such as Yom Kippur, and Eid.

Monitoring of the policy will take place with an annual review. The Governing Body and the Headmistress will update and amend the policy as necessary.