Inclusion and Equality
We believe that all children should be equally valued at our Academy. We will strive to eliminate prejudice and discrimination, and to develop an environment where all children can flourish and feel safe. We have a range of agreed policies.
Harris Academy Sutton is committed to inclusion and part of the Academy’s strategic planning involves developing cultures, policies and practices that include all learners.
We believe that educational inclusion is about equal opportunities for all learners, whatever their age, gender, demographic group, ethnicity, additional need, attainment and background. We pay particular attention to the provision for, and the achievement of, different groups of learners:
- Students from families that are financially disadvantaged (PP - Pupil Premium)
- Students who arrive with below nationally expected ability in any area (LAPs)
- Boys or Girls
- Students from minority faiths, ethnicities, travellers, asylum seekers, refugees
- Students who have English as an additional language (EAL)
- Students who have Special Educational Needs or a Disability (SEND)
- Students who are More Able learners (MALs)
- Students who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT)
- Children who are looked after (LAC) or those previously looked after (PLAC)
- Young carers, sick children, children from families under stress
Our Academy is committed to a fully inclusive and accessible education for all our students, regardless of ethnic background, sexual orientation, heritage, belief system, educational need or disability. Full details of our policies and procedures can be found under Key Information and also at the foot of this page.
How do we do this in practice?
We encourage students to look for the similarities between one another
At Harris Sutton we work hard with our children from the outset and encourage them to identify the similarities between one another. For young people this can be a challenge: it requires our students to take an interest in one another, be inquisitive, and take a social “risk” in terms of reaching out and making new friends. This concept is at the heart of our messages about being a kind and welcoming young person.
We ask our students to celebrate the differences in the student community
From Languages Week to a highly developed Personal Development Curriculum, our Academy celebrates the many different cultures, languages and religions we have here at Harris Sutton. Quiet meditation rooms are available for students who wish to undertake a period of prayer or meditation. Our Religious Studies curriculum covers all major belief systems with in the first academic year. An innovative History curriculum takes a global stance when looking at all aspects of History, including a look at comparing Africa with Western Europe during the medieval era.
Access for all
We are privileged to be housed in one of the most state-of-the-art buildings in the country. Our wide corridors, lifts and large shared spaces mean students that require some mobility support will feel a true member of our community.
Freedom of expression
We offer a range of clubs, societies and support networks that offer our students the comfort and companionship of a welcome face and a conversation with like-minded friends or allies. Where these do not exist, we would like to feel that the right phrase is they do not exist YET! Several of our groups such as the Free2Be Society and our Diversity Champions have come into existence through our students and staff working together to meet the needs of our students. Together we believe anything is a possibility.