Equalities Award: gold standard for Sandwell primary school

7th June 2022

Well done to Ferndale Primary School in Great Barr for showing great commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. In March the Sandwell school was one of around ten schools across the country – and the only school in the West Midlands region – to be presented with a gold Equalities Award.

Managed by EqualiTeach, the Equalities Award programme provides support and guidance for schools to effectively promote their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Achieving the gold standard shows Ferndale Primary School acts as a beacon for others; supports spiritual, moral, social and cultural needs; and clearly shows the positive impact of best equality and diversity practice.

The school achieved the award in only eight months, despite it usually taking 18 months.

Diversity Festival

Now the school is gearing up for its Diversity Festival, which will be opened by the Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Richard Jones on Thursday 23 June.

The festival will be a celebration of all that the school does to achieve diversity and inclusion. Children, parents, staff and local community groups and companies are supporting the event.

Ferndale’s headteacher Mrs Ruth Gillett said: “Ferndale Primary School is a diverse, fair and exciting place to learn and develop without fear of discrimination. We pride ourselves on our values of honesty, respect, teamwork and equality, and we will welcome those who wish to share and support these values to our Diversity Festival on 23 June. They will see first-hand how diversity and equality are embedded in all that we do at the school.”

The Mayor of Sandwell said: “Our communities in Sandwell are built on mutual respect, where we pride ourselves on equality and diversity. Ferndale Primary School continues to work hard to celebrate inclusion and diversity in all their forms and I am grateful to the children, staff and parents, as well as the local community and governors, for their work in this area.

“The Diversity Festival at the school will highlight that it’s important that everyone in Sandwell feels comfortable to be themselves and they are able to enjoy life free from prejudice and discrimination. Sandwell is very proud to have such an inclusive school where everyone can be their true, authentic, best version of who they wish to be. This festival is a celebration of all they do.”

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