Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
At ICT in Schools, we believe that a truly effective education system is an inclusive one, where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered. Our mission is to support schools in South Tyneside and beyond, and that mission is rooted in a deep commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
We recognise that equality is a fundamental principle, not just a written policy. It sits at the absolute center of our work, influencing how we develop our digital services, how we support our educational partners, and how we operate as a team. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace and a service culture that celebrates diversity and ensures fair treatment for all.
How We Comply with Legislation
As a digital service provider operating within the UK education sector, we have a legal and ethical duty to uphold the highest standards of fairness. Our practices are strictly aligned with the Gov.uk Equality Act 2010 Guidance. This landmark legislation legally protects individuals from discrimination, harassment, and victimisation across nine protected characteristics:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender Reassignment
- Marriage and Civil Partnership
- Pregnancy and Maternity
- Race
- Religion or Belief
- Sex
- Sexual Orientation
Because we work closely with public institutions, our operational ethos also mirrors the core objectives set out by the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). We actively look for opportunities to eliminate discrimination, advance equal opportunities, and foster good relations across communities.
Putting Policy into Practice
Our compliance with the Equality Act 2010 is woven directly into four key areas of our day-to-day operations:
- Service Provision: We ensure that our ICT support, training, and infrastructure are accessible to all schools and their staff, regardless of background or physical ability. For example, our website and digital learning platforms are engineered to be fully accessible to users with visual, auditory, or motor impairments, adhering to global Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). We continually audit our platforms to identify and remove potential digital barriers.
- Staffing and Employment: We are an equal opportunities employer. Our recruitment, onboarding, training, and career progression policies are designed from the ground up to be fair, merit-based, and entirely transparent.
- Procurement and Partnerships: When selecting external vendors and suppliers, we explicitly communicate our commitment to EDI. Wherever possible, we choose to do business with organisations that actively demonstrate these shared values.
- Proactive Engagement: We do not wait for compliance issues to arise. We regularly review our internal procedures to stay ahead of best practices, actively aligning our efforts with local initiatives like the South Tyneside Council Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy. By regularly consulting with our partner schools, we adapt our infrastructure to meet the shifting, diverse needs of modern classrooms.
Our Promise to You
We are incredibly proud of the diverse community of schools, educators, and pupils we serve. Our ongoing promise is to deliver a technical service that not only meets your school’s structural needs but also actively contributes to a safe, inclusive, and enriching learning environment for everyone.
EDI is a continuous journey. We are always completely open to feedback on how we can better meet our responsibilities or improve our digital accessibility. If you have any questions, insights, or suggestions on how we can improve, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team.