Glossary

Equality is

•          about creating a fairer society where everyone can participate and have the opportunity to fulfil their potential – creating a level playing field

•          about removing or reducing all forms of unfair discrimination and has been underpinned by legislation

•          about breaking down barriers for people in particular groups such as black and minority ethnic communities, disabled people, gay men/ lesbians/bisexuals/ transgender people, younger and older people, people from different religious & faith backgrounds, and men and women.

NCC Equality and Diversity Policy 2005

Diversity is

•          about including everyone

•          valuing differences

•          harnessing differences in individuals to the benefit of both the organisation and the individual, by allowing people with different perspectives and views to use their unique blend of skills and character to improve the quality and performance of the organisation

•          having a better understanding of the diverse needs of our community

NCC Equality and Diversity Policy 2005

BME          

Black and minority ethnic pupils

are those pupils who have cultural heritage origins outside of Britain, including Irish Traveller and Gypsy Roma backgrounds. Many will be fluent English speakers.

EAL            

English as an additional language

are those BME pupils who are learning English and use, or have used, one or more languages other than English at home.

Traveller       

Roma, English and Welsh gypsies, Irish and Scottish Travellers, showmen and circus people, bargees

are pupils whose families may be highly, partially or seasonally mobile and may live in caravans or housing.

Asylum seekers

are pupils whose families are seeking refugee status (they have applied for asylum), possibly because of war or human rights abuse.  Pupils may be unaccompanied minors in the UK.

Refugees     

are pupils/persons who have been granted asylum in the UK.

Migrants

are persons who migrate from one country to another for the primary purpose of work, whether permanently or temporarily.  Migrant workers can include the following categories:

• Nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) who have a right to travel, live and work in the UK
• Nationals of all other countries who require a work permit, which is obtained by an employer who cannot find a suitable national to fill a post
• National of Switzerland and British Overseas Territories and people employed in a limited number of activities, who require clearance to enter the UK but do not require a work permit
• Commonwealth Working Holiday makers: individual between the ages of 17-30 who can work in the UK for up to 2 years.

NTES

Northumberland Traveller Education Service

EMAG           

Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant

 Local Authority grant devolved centrally by the DCSF since 1999,  based on percentage of pupil population from BME backgrounds.

Aiming High

is the prefix to the DCSF programmes and publications concerned with the achievement of BME pupils.

Equality and Human Rights Commission              

previously the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE)

The CRE was set up under the 1976 Race Relations Act.  It is funded by a government grant but works independently to perform its duties in relation to the Act.  It can provide legal advice and assistance and investigate companies and organisations where there is evidence of racial discrimination.  It is now known as the Equalities and Human Rights Commission after the merger of three equality commissions:

• Commission for Racial Equality (CRE)
• Disability Rights Commission (DRC)
• Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC)

Duty

A mandatory and legal obligation to do something

Promote

Contribute to the progress and growth of….

Make publicity for…..

Direct discrimination

When a person is intentionally  treated less favourably than others in comparable circumstances because of a special characteristic such as sex, race or disability.   

Direct discrimination is unlawful.

Indirect discrimination

When a provision or practice is applied equally to all but unintentionally has a different impact on people so that a person or group are at a disadvantage as a result.

Indirect discrimination is unlawful.

Victimisation

When a person is treated less favourably because they have taken action in respect of discrimination eg making a complaint.

Victimisation is unlawful.

Harassment

When a person’s dignity is violated or behaviour creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them, on the grounds of a relevant equalities characteristic eg sex, race.

Harassment is unlawful.

Disabled person

Someone who has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities

(DDA 2005)

Gender

Two aspects: gender identity is a person’s internal perception and experience of their gender; gender role is the way that the person lives in society and interacts with others based on their gender identity