Equality Act 2010: admissions and provision of education
Understand your role in making sure your school complies with its obligations to pupils and their parents under the Equality Act, and learn what you can do to prevent discrimination.
Contents
- What pupil characteristics are protected under the Act?
- What are a school's obligations under the Act?
- Who's responsible for making sure the school doesn't breach the Act?
- What's prohibited under the Act?
- Relationships between pupils aren't covered by the Act
- How to monitor compliance with the Act
- Other resources
What pupil characteristics are protected under the Act?
The Act protects everyone in England and Wales from discrimination and harassment based on 9 'protected characteristics'. Read more about the general provisions of the Act in our article on the Equality Act 2010.
However, when it comes to pupils, the Act has specific provisions which protect them from discrimination and harassment for these characteristics:
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
Note that pupils aren't protected from age discrimination or discrimination based on marriage or civil partnership.
This protection covers pupils who are:
- Applying for admission
- Currently enrolled
- Formerly enrolled
See 1.12 to 1.13, 5.103 and 5.83 of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) technical guidance for schools.
What are a school's obligations under the Act?
A school must not discriminate against applicants or pupils in relation to:
See 1.14 of the EHRC
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