Equality of Access and Participation Policy

This policy is devised to comply with various acts of the Oireachtas such as the Education Act, 1998, the Equal Status Act, 2000, the Employment Equality Act, 1998 and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004 (EPSEN).  It seeks to promote the principles of justice and equality for all members of the school community.

Pupils:

In accordance with the Enrolment policy of Scoil Bhríde, children will not be discriminated against on grounds of gender, race, and religion, membership of the Travelling Community or disability.

It is school policy to provide pupils with a gender-balanced range of resources in curricular areas – textbooks, ancillary materials, software, sports equipment etc.

The language used in the school to mediate the curriculum will be gender-balanced and shall avail of opportunities to raise pupils’ awareness of unconsciously held attitudes.

Teachers will promote the concepts of equality and justice for all, both with specific educational programmes, and in the “hidden curriculum” throughout the school day.

Staff:

In accordance with the Equal Status Act, 2000, and the Employment Equality Act, 1998, staff members of Scoil Bhríde will not be discriminated against on grounds of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Travelling Community.

Nothing will appear in a job vacancy advertisement which would indicate a preference for one gender over another.  Neither may any question be asked at interview which could be deemed discriminatory on gender grounds.  There will be no differentiation between the sexes in appointments to positions, or in the case of teachers, to allocation to classes.

The Board of Management of Scoil Bhríde will support the policy and maintain the ethos of equality and participation for all members of the school community.