Public Sector Equality Duty

 What is the Public Sector Equality Duty?

The single Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) came into effect in April 2011 as a result of the Equality Act 2010. It requires public bodies to promote equality and replaced three pre-existing duties relating to disability, race and gender equality.

The PSED applies to all maintained and independent schools, including academies, and maintained and non-maintained special schools.

Protected Characteristics 

The protected characteristics:

• age;

• disability;

• gender reassignment;

• pregnancy and maternity;

• race;

• religion or belief;

• sex;

• sexual orientation.

•  marriage and civil partnership;

Three Main Elements 

The PSED has three main elements. In carrying out their functions, public bodies are required to have due regard to the need to: 

• Eliminate discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act 2010
• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
• Foster good relations across all characteristics, and between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it

Equality Information and Objectives Statement

Equality Information and Objectives Statement Aut 2022 - 2026