Equality Objectives

Objective 1: Develop pupils’ understanding of diversity and their ability to celebrate and respect others from different backgrounds and cultures within school and their wider communities. 

At Evolve Academy, we celebrate diversity in all its forms. We encourage interaction and exposure to a range of positive role-models both in school and off-site. We actively invite visitors from across the authority and beyond to promote opportunities and aspirations for all pupils. We celebrate a wealth of multi-cultural festivals and events throughout the year encouraging pupils to take part in and enjoy these events; allowing pupils to develop a wider knowledge and respect for different and diverse cultures.

Partially Met:

The development of pupils’ understanding of diversity through exploring different cultures, religions and backgrounds has been undertaken through a variety of learning opportunities. This has included staff delivering sessions about their own religions and cultures, faith celebration days, workshops delivered by the Police and Fire services and topic days about Black History. This has been a positive development across the school but further opportunities need to be developed to embed understanding and tolerance of other faiths, cultures and communities.

Recommendation: Target to be modified

Objective 1: Draw upon the knowledge of the local community and regional partners to improve both staff and pupil knowledge around diversity within the local area, region and country. Develop opportunities to celebrate this within school and in partnership with local community members.

Objective 2: Identify the needs of all pupils to ensure they are appropriately supported to transition to their next educational setting and equipped to become responsible citizens within society. 

At Evolve Academy, we work with pupils from across Kirklees and beyond. Our cohort is made up of pupils with a wide range of needs, views and aspirations. Pupil placements are planned carefully, ensuring that academic and social, emotional and mental health needs are paramount leading to a successful placement and an effective transition to their next educational setting. We develop positive aspirations that pupils are able to take with them on their journey into KS4 and through to their adult lives.

Partially Met:

All five KS2 pupils transitioned successfully to a mainstream setting or more specialised provision.

A more robust transition plan was formulated for all KS3 pupils which aimed at a number of specific pathways depending on need.

Four KS3 pupils returned to a mainstream setting during this academic year, with a further four still in placement. One placement failed, with the pupil returning to Evolve Academy and due to transition to Springfield in summer 2022.

We have had difficulty ensuring all SEN have been supported as effectively as possible due to the lack of a SENCo for most of the academic year. A number of staff have ensured that support for parents and collaborative work with external agencies and other schools has continued throughout. This has led to a number of appropriate provisions being consulted for KS4 placements to ensure the needs of our pupils will continue to be met.

Further work needs to be done around the admissions process and exit routes as this is impacting on transitions.

Development of the ‘step out’ process is also required to ensure the support offered by Evolve is continued once pupils complete their placement and return to mainstream.

Recommendation: Target to be repeated (success of transition of SEN and step out pupils to be highlighted through 22-23)

Objective 2: Identify the needs of all pupils to ensure they are appropriately supported to transition to their next educational setting and equipped to become responsible citizens within society.

Objective 3: To ensure that all pupils make positive and sustained progress at Evolve Academy through the use of baseline assessments and progress data to tailor the curriculum and personalised interventions to pupils’ learning and SEMH needs. 

At Evolve Academy, we regularly reflect upon our practice and curriculum offer to ensure that it meets the diverse needs of all members of the school community. Interventions are planned for, and delivered to, all students to address their individual needs.  We monitor and evaluate academic and SEMH progress of all our pupils with specific reference to groups with different characteristics. These include ethnicity, gender, first language, special educational needs, Free School Meals and Pupil Premium eligibility.

Partially Met:

All KS2 pupils have made positive and sustained progress at Evolve Academy. These pupils have had the least disruption to their year and have been able to continue in a structured and consistent way during a long period of building work. They have also not been affected by the recent bus strike due to having transport provided.

KS3 progress has been impacted upon by both of these issues and so alternative offers were developed.

New forms of assessment have been introduced to measure academic and SEMH progress, with a number of interventions also taking place.

As the curriculum and assessments are undergoing further development this is an area of strategic priority that will be focused upon heavily in the next academic year.

Recommendation: Target to be repeated (variety of interventions – SEMH, academic and SEN and progress measures through attendance, SEMH and core subject areas to be highlighted through 22-23).

Objective 3: To ensure that all pupils make positive and sustained progress at Evolve Academy through the effective use of baseline assessments and progress data to tailor the curriculum and personalised interventions to pupils’ learning and SEMH needs.