Equality & Behaviour
We want every child to feel safe, valued and included. Find out how we promote equality, encourage positive behaviour and work together to prevent bullying.
Equality & Inclusion
At Hamstreet Primary Academy, we believe that everyone deserves to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. We value the differences within our school community and want every child to have the opportunity to learn, participate and achieve their potential.
Our approach is guided by the Equality Act 2010 and ACE Learning’s commitment to providing an inclusive environment for pupils, staff, families and visitors.
Our commitment
We aim to:
- Promote equality of opportunity and challenge discrimination, prejudice and unfair treatment.
- Celebrate diversity and encourage children to respect different backgrounds, cultures, beliefs and experiences.
- Provide a supportive environment where everyone feels welcome and has a sense of belonging.
- Consider individual needs and make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils to support their participation in school life.
- Encourage children to speak to a trusted adult if they feel excluded, discriminated against or unfairly treated.
- Work with parents, carers and other professionals to remove barriers to learning and participation.
Our responsibilities under the Equality Act
As an academy, we are subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty. This means that, when carrying out our functions, we must have due regard to the need to:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
- Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
Supporting pupils with additional needs
Equality and inclusion are closely linked to our provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We aim to understand each child’s individual needs and provide appropriate support and reasonable adjustments.
Our SEND information explains how we support pupils, work with families and improve accessibility to learning, the school environment and information.
Positive Behaviour
We believe that positive behaviour begins with strong relationships, clear expectations and a caring school environment.
Every child has the right to learn in a safe, calm and supportive classroom. We encourage children to develop responsibility for their actions, show consideration for others and make positive choices.
Our expectations
We encourage children to:
- Be kind, polite and respectful towards others.
- Listen carefully and allow others to learn.
- Keep themselves and others safe.
- Take care of the school and its equipment.
- Include others and develop positive friendships.
- Try their best and take pride in their achievements.
Good to be Green
Hamstreet’s approach to encouraging positive behaviour includes Good to be Green, which helps children understand expectations and recognise the importance of making positive choices.
Our approach emphasises encouragement, praise and recognition of good behaviour. Where expectations are not met, staff respond in accordance with the school’s agreed arrangements and the ACE Learning Behaviour Policy.
Supporting individual needs
We recognise that some children need additional support to manage their behaviour, emotions or relationships.
Where appropriate, staff work with parents and carers, the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and other professionals to identify strategies that meet the child’s individual needs.
Our aim is to help children understand expectations, develop positive behaviour and participate successfully in school life.
Working with parents and carers
Good communication between home and school is important. We encourage parents and carers to speak to their child’s class teacher if they have concerns about behaviour, relationships or wellbeing.
We will work with families to understand concerns, agree appropriate support and review progress where needed.
Respectful behaviour from adults
We expect everyone visiting or working in our school to treat others with courtesy and respect. Adults play an important role in modelling the behaviour we encourage in children.
Aggressive, threatening or abusive behaviour towards pupils, staff or visitors is not acceptable. The school may take appropriate action to protect the safety and wellbeing of its community.
Preventing Bullying
Every child has the right to feel safe, welcome and happy at school. Bullying is not tolerated at Hamstreet Primary Academy.
Bullying is usually repeated behaviour that intentionally hurts another person, either physically or emotionally. It can involve an imbalance of power, making it difficult for the person affected to defend themselves.
Forms of bullying
Bullying can take different forms, including:
- Physical bullying: Hitting, kicking, pushing or deliberately hurting someone.
- Verbal bullying: Name-calling, insults, threats or repeated hurtful comments.
- Social or indirect bullying: Deliberately excluding someone, spreading rumours or damaging friendships.
- Online bullying: Hurtful or threatening messages, images or behaviour through digital devices and online services.
- Prejudice-based bullying: Bullying connected to characteristics such as race, religion, disability or sex, or other aspects of a person’s identity.
Not every disagreement or isolated incident is bullying. However, unkind or harmful behaviour is still taken seriously and addressed appropriately.
Our approach to preventing bullying
We aim to:
- Build a school culture based on kindness, inclusion and mutual respect.
- Help children understand bullying and its impact through the curriculum, discussions and wider school activities.
- Encourage children to tell a trusted adult whenever something worries them.
- Take reports of bullying seriously, investigate concerns and respond appropriately.
- Provide support for children affected by bullying and help those responsible understand the impact of their behaviour and prevent recurrence.
- Work with parents and carers to address concerns and support positive relationships.
What should I do if I am worried about bullying?
If you are concerned that your child is experiencing bullying, please tell us as soon as possible. Concerns can be raised verbally or in writing.
- Speak to your child’s class teacher. This is usually the best starting point. The teacher can listen to your concerns, investigate and discuss the next steps.
- Contact the Head of School. If you feel the matter has not been resolved, please contact the school office to arrange a discussion with the Head of School.
- Follow the complaints procedure. If your concern remains unresolved, ACE Learning’s Complaints Policy explains how to make a formal complaint.
If your concern relates to a child’s immediate safety or protection from harm, please follow our safeguarding arrangements.
Policies & Further Information
Our approach to equality, behaviour and bullying is supported by ACE Learning’s Trust-wide policies. These provide further details about expectations, responsibilities and procedures.
You can read the individual policies below, or visit our Documents & Policies page for further school information.
If you need a policy in an alternative format or would like a paper copy, please contact the school office.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions about equality, inclusion, behaviour or bullying, please contact us. We are happy to listen, offer guidance and help you find the right person to speak to.