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We are currently delivering face to face guidance sessions to all Northumberland schools regarding their new legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010, which are to be implemented from April 2011.
Further details will be published on our new website at www.northumberland.gov.uk/equalitiesandschools from June 2011.
In summary
The main changes affecting schools are as follows:
- Using this information, schools have to set SMART equality objectives by April 2012. There is no set number of objectives that you are required to have. You should be able to demonstrate that your evidence led you to define strategic and well informed objectives which can be addressed within the 4 year timescale before they must be revised or refreshed.
- You will be required to set out how progress against these objectives will be measured, and publish this information. This is worth bearing in mind while setting the objectives.
- From 1st April 2011 schools will be required to complete an analysis of the effects of your policies and practices on protected groups as well. This process was formerly known as equality impact assessment (EIA).
- There is now no legal requirement to publish an equality scheme. You may still find it useful to publish a scheme or policy. There is a very good example of a school policy which can easily be adapted on the Insted web site.
Half day training seminars have been arranged in the summer and autumn terms of 2011 to help schools prepare for the changes. Contact Susan Caisley 01670 533502 to book a place on one of these. There is no charge to schools for attending | 
