What are protected characteristics

Everyone in Britain is Protected. This is because the Equality Act protects people against discrimination because of the protected characteristics that we all have. Under the Equality Act, there are 9 Protected Characteristics:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Marriage or civil partnership
• Sex
• Sexual Orientation
• Pregnancy and maternity

The STJHV equality objectives can be found here: Equality statement 2026-2029

Under the Equality Act you are protected from discrimination:

• When you are in the workplace
• When you use public serrvices like healthcare (for example, visiting your doctor or local hospital) or education (for exaample at your school or college)
• When you use busineeses and other organisations that provide services or goods (like shops or restaurants, and cinemas)
• When you use transport
• When you join a club or association
• When you have contact with public bodies like your local council or government departments.

The 9 Protected Characteristics are actively promoted in school through:

• Our school ethos statements, SDP and SEF
• Our school core values
• Our school behaviour policy
• Concious role modelling by all adults in the school community
• Active engaement and communication with parents and carers
• Assemblies
• British Values
• Discussion within curriculum subjects
• Promoting articulation by building appropriate language and a coherent vocabulary
• Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE)
• RE lessons, RSE lessons and Protected Characteristic talks
• Sporting, Art and Cultural events
• Pupil voice
• Educational visits
• Real life learning outside the classroom
• Guest speakers
• Developing links with local, national and international communities
• Extra-curricular activities, after school clubs, charity work within the local community