Last week Stephen Metcalfe,
local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, paid a visit to Gable Hall
School to meet with their student leadership team and to present them with an
EQualities Award.
The visit and the award
follow on from a fantastic year of GCSE results whereby 73% of pupils achieved
a record 5 GCSE’s at A*-C.
As well as discussing a range
of issues with the student leadership team, Mr Metcalfe also presented the
school with an award to celebrate their commitment to eliminating
discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity and fostering good relations.
The award was developed in
response to the Equality Act 2010 which established nine ‘protected
characteristics’ including age, disability, ethnicity, gender, religion and
belief, and sexual identity. The Act places both general and specific duties
upon all public bodies, such as local authorities, schools and other state
funded educational settings.
In order to achieve the
award, schools must undertake an audit in line with recommendations from
Equality which is then submitted electronically and verified.
The local MP commented: “It
was fantastic to be back at Gable Hall. They have had another brilliant year in
terms of results and it was great to be able to congratulate them in person,
and to meet with students and staff. The student leadership team are a
committed and dedicated group of students who are passionate about the school
and brimming with ideas so it was a real pleasure to spend some time with
them.”
“It was also a privilege to
present the Equalities Award. Staff and students have worked hard to create an
inclusive, non discriminatory environment that values each and every student
for who they are. The award is testament to this and I hope many other schools
will follow suit.”
