The Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 replaces previous anti-discrimination legislation with a single Act. The Equality Duty is set out in section 149 of the Act. It replaces the three previous public sector equality duties – for race, disability and gender – and covers the following protected characteristics:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership (in respect of eliminating unlawful discrimination)
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

Our Approach at Chesterfield Primary School

No form of discrimination is tolerated at Chesterfield Primary School and our pupils show respect for those who share protected characteristics.
We do not teach about all the protected characteristics in every year group. The curriculum is planned and delivered so that our pupils develop age-appropriate knowledge and understanding during their time at Chesterfield Primary School.

Exploring Diversity Through Picture News & Oracy Assemblies

A key vehicle for exploring protected characteristics and British Values is our fortnightly oracy assemblies, delivered in partnership with Picture News.

Picture News provides current affairs resources designed specifically for primary schools, featuring real-world images, impactful news stories and big questions. Using these engaging visuals and themes, our assemblies give pupils a safe, structured space to discuss global events, diverse communities and human rights.

Through these talk-rich sessions, pupils learn to:

• Develop inclusive vocabulary to speak respectfully about difference and diversity.

• Listen with empathy to opinions and lived experiences that differ from their own.

• Articulate their thinking clearly while learning to challenge stereotypes, prejudice and injustice.

By connecting Picture News discussions with our wider curriculum—including PSHE, RE and literature—we ensure our pupils grow into articulate, open-minded citizens who understand and champion equality for all.

Yearly Overview

Please click on the link below to view our annual oracy assembly overview detailing how protected characteristics are embedded across the academic year: