Equality
Equality is described as the removal of discrimination, disadvantage, inequality and/or barriers which can affect people on the grounds of the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act (2010):
Age
Disability
Sex
Gender reassignment
Pregnancy and maternity
Race
Religion or belief
Sexual orientation.
The public sector equality duty also covers marriage and civil partnerships, with regard to eliminating unlawful discrimination in employment. Therefore, schools and education authorities do not have a responsibility as learners are not employees.
The Equality Act (2010) also gives the duty to advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not and to foster good relations between them.
Inclusion and equality