The Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. It replaced previous anti-discrimination laws with a single Act, making the law easier to understand and strengthening protection in some situations. It sets out the different ways in which it’s unlawful to treat someone. To be protected under the Equality Act, you must meet the legal definition. Disability is defined as: ‘a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long- term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’

Before the Equality Act 2010 came into force there were several pieces of legislation to cover discrimination, including: Sex Discrimination Act 1975 Race Relations Act 1976 Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Key Points The Equality Act 2010 provides a single, consolidated source of discrimination law. As far as schools are concerned, for the most part, the effect of the current law is the same as it has been in the past – meaning that schools cannot unlawfully discriminate against pupils because of their sex, race, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation. The exceptions to the discrimination provisions for schools are all replicated in the current act – such as the content of the curriculum, collective worship and admissions to single sex schools and schools of a religious character.

Schools: who and what the Act applies to The Act makes it unlawful for the responsible body of a school to discriminate against, harass or victimise a pupil or potential pupil: in relation to admissions, in the way it provides education for pupils, in the way it provides pupils access to any benefit, facility or service, or by excluding a pupil or subjecting them to any other detriment.

An education provider has a duty to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to make sure students with SEND are not discriminated against. These changes could include: changes to physical features, eg creating a ramp so that students can enter a classroom providing extra support and aids (like specialist teachers or equipment)