The Equality Act 2010 — what it means for Everton Primary School

The Equality Act 2010 is the law that protects everyone in England, Scotland and Wales from discrimination, harassment and victimisation. For schools, it creates three specific legal duties:

The general equality duty requires the school to have due regard to eliminating unlawful discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity, and fostering good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

The specific duties require the school to publish equality objectives (reviewed every four years) and publish information demonstrating how it meets the general duty.

The reasonable adjustments duty means the school must take positive steps to ensure disabled pupils and staff are not put at a substantial disadvantage — for example, through physical adaptations, adapted resources, or additional support.

How the school demonstrates compliance

Everton Primary demonstrates compliance through several interconnected layers.

In terms of policy and governance, the school maintains a published Equality and Diversity Policy, an Accessibility Plan, a SEND Information Report, and an Anti-Bullying Policy. These are reviewed regularly by governors, who have a named lead for equality matters.

In terms of curriculum, all nine characteristics are woven into PSHE, RE, RSE (Relationships and Sex Education), and assemblies in developmentally appropriate ways. Diverse books, role models, and histories feature across subjects, not just in dedicated lessons.

In terms of staff practice, all staff receive equality and diversity training, and any discriminatory incident — whether based on race, disability, sex, or any other characteristic — is recorded, investigated and acted upon. The school's SENCO coordinates support for pupils with disabilities and SEND.

In terms of school culture, the school actively promotes a climate where every child feels safe, visible and valued. Pupil voice mechanisms (such as school council), restorative approaches to conflict, and clear anti-bullying procedures all support this.

Teaching the characteristics to primary-aged children

The interactive guide above gives the child-friendly language for each characteristic. In practice, these concepts are introduced gradually:

Early Years and KS1 focus on similarities and differences, kindness, and fairness — exploring race, disability and family structure through story books and play.

Lower KS2 deepens understanding of identity, community and belonging — introducing the idea that some differences are protected by law and that everyone has equal worth.

Upper KS2 can handle more explicit discussion of all nine characteristics, including age-appropriate exploration of gender, belief, and what discrimination means and feels like.

Tap any card in the guide above to see the child-friendly wording, classroom examples, and specific school actions for each of the nine protected characteristics.

Age

WHAT IT MEANS

This protects people from being treated unfairly because of how old they are — whether they are young or old.

CHILD-FRIENDLY EXPLANATION

Everyone deserves to be treated kindly whether they are 5, 55 or 95! It's not fair to leave someone out or be unkind to them just because of their age.

IN PRACTICE AT SCHOOL

In school: we don't say things like "you're too young to understand" or leave younger children out of activities. Every child's ideas matter.

HOW EVERTON PRIMARY SUPPORTS THIS

At Everton Primary, children in all year groups have a voice. Our School Council includes representatives from every year group, and older and younger pupils learn together through buddy reading schemes.

Disability

WHAT IT MEANS

A disability is any physical or mental condition that has a long-term effect on everyday life. The law says schools must make reasonable adjustments so everyone can take part.

CHILD-FRIENDLY EXPLANATION

Some people's bodies or minds work differently. That doesn't make them less important or less brilliant! We make sure everyone can join in, and we never make fun of how someone's body or mind works.

IN PRACTICE AT SCHOOL

A child who uses a wheelchair, has hearing aids, has dyslexia or has anxiety is protected. Being unkind or leaving them out because of this is discrimination.

HOW EVERTON PRIMARY SUPPORTS THIS

Everton Primary makes reasonable adjustments including ramps and accessible spaces, differentiated learning, visual timetables, sensory resources, and working closely with the SENCO to support every pupil's needs.

Gender Reassignment

WHAT IT MEANS

This protects people who are transitioning or have transitioned to a different gender from the one they were assigned at birth.

CHILD-FRIENDLY EXPLANATION

Some people feel that the gender they were born with doesn't match who they really are inside. Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, no matter what.

IN PRACTICE AT SCHOOL

Being unkind to, excluding, or making fun of someone because of this is against the law.

HOW EVERTON PRIMARY SUPPORTS THIS

Everton Primary promotes a culture of kindness and respect for all. PSHE lessons explore identity and respect in age-appropriate ways. Staff ensure all pupils feel safe and valued.

Marriage and Civil Partnership

WHAT IT MEANS

This protects people from being treated unfairly because they are married, divorced, widowed, or in a civil partnership.

CHILD-FRIENDLY EXPLANATION

Families look different! Some people are married, some aren't, some have two mums or two dads, some have one parent. All families deserve respect.

IN PRACTICE AT SCHOOL

In a primary school context, this mainly applies to staff rather than pupils — for example, a teacher cannot be treated unfairly because of their marital status.

HOW EVERTON PRIMARY SUPPORTS THIS

Everton Primary celebrates all family structures in its curriculum and communications. Books and learning materials reflect a wide range of families so every child sees their own family represented.

Pregnancy and Maternity

WHAT IT MEANS

This protects people from being treated unfairly because they are pregnant or have recently had a baby.

CHILD-FRIENDLY EXPLANATION

Having a baby is a wonderful thing! Nobody should be treated unkindly or unfairly because a new baby is on the way. This also means our school treats parents and staff fairly if they are expecting a baby.

IN PRACTICE AT SCHOOL

A teacher or staff member cannot be dismissed or treated unfairly for being pregnant. Parents also cannot be discriminated against.

HOW EVERTON PRIMARY SUPPORTS THIS

Everton Primary fully supports staff through maternity and paternity leave and ensures pupils learn about families and new babies in an inclusive, celebratory way in PSHE and through story books.

Religion or Belief

WHAT IT MEANS

This protects people from being treated unfairly because of their religion (or lack of religion) or because of their personal philosophical beliefs.

CHILD-FRIENDLY EXPLANATION

People believe in lots of different things. Some people go to church, some go to a mosque or temple, some follow different faiths, and some don't follow a religion at all. Everyone's beliefs deserve respect.

IN PRACTICE AT SCHOOL

A child should not be bullied for wearing a hijab, a cross, a turban, or for celebrating Eid, Diwali, or Christmas — or for not following any religion.

HOW EVERTON PRIMARY SUPPORTS THIS

Everton Primary's RE curriculum explores a range of world faiths and non-religious views. Collective worship is inclusive and reflective. The school celebrates festivals from many traditions and creates space for respectful dialogue.

Sex

WHAT IT MEANS

This protects people from being treated unfairly because of whether they are male or female.

CHILD-FRIENDLY EXPLANATION

Boys and girls can do the same things and are equally brilliant! Nobody should be left out of an activity, given a harder time, or treated differently just because of whether they are a boy or a girl.

IN PRACTICE AT SCHOOL

Telling a boy he can't do ballet, or a girl she can't do football, because of their sex is discriminatory.

HOW EVERTON PRIMARY SUPPORTS THIS

Everton Primary ensures all activities — from sports to arts to STEM — are open to all genders equally. Gender stereotypes are actively challenged in lessons, books and displays. All children are encouraged to pursue their strengths.

Sexual Orientation

WHAT IT MEANS

This protects people from being treated unfairly because of who they are attracted to — whether that is someone of the same sex, a different sex, or both.

CHILD-FRIENDLY EXPLANATION

Some people fall in love with or care deeply about someone who is the same as them, and some people don't. What matters is kindness and respect — everyone deserves to feel safe and valued.

IN PRACTICE AT SCHOOL

Using unkind words about someone because of their sexual orientation, or a family member's, is a form of bullying and is not acceptable.

HOW EVERTON PRIMARY SUPPORTS THIS

Everton Primary has a zero-tolerance approach to homophobic bullying language. Relationships education (RSE) introduces families of all kinds in an age-appropriate way. All pupils learn that every person deserves dignity and respect.

Race

WHAT IT MEANS

This protects people from being treated unfairly because of their race, colour, nationality, or ethnic or national origin.

CHILD-FRIENDLY EXPLANATION

People come from all over the world and have different skin colours, languages, and backgrounds — and that makes our community rich and brilliant! It is never OK to be unkind to someone because of where they are from or what they look like.

IN PRACTICE AT SCHOOL

Racist name-calling, exclusion, or mockery of someone's accent, culture, or appearance is discrimination and must be challenged.

HOW EVERTON PRIMARY SUPPORTS THIS

Everton Primary celebrates cultural diversity throughout the curriculum and in school events. Anti-racism is embedded in the school's values. Incidents of racist language are recorded and addressed. The curriculum includes diverse role models and histories.