Public bodies, including schools, academies, and FE colleges, must comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) as part of the Equality Act 2010. This means publishing equality information annually and setting equality objectives at least every four years as part of your work on meeting the latest school website requirements.

This blog outlines what schools and colleges must publish, best practices for presenting this information, and why transparency in equality reporting is essential for schools.

Why Publish Public Sector Equality Duty Information?

1. Legal Compliance – Schools and colleges must meet the Equality Act 2010 and Specific Duties and Public Authorities Regulations 2017.
2. Transparency & Accountability – Publishing equality objectives demonstrates a commitment to fairness, diversity, and inclusion.
3. Proactive Leadership – Schools can use this as an opportunity to show progress in reducing inequalities and improving representation across governance, leadership, staff, and students.

By clearly publishing this information, schools can ensure compliance while building trust with their communities.

What Schools and Colleges Must Publish?

Schools, Academies, and FE Colleges Must Publish:

1. How they comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty – Updated annually.
2. Equality objectives – Updated at least every four years.

Examples of compliance statements:

1. How policies and practices promote equality in education and employment.
2. Steps taken to reduce discrimination and eliminate harassment.
3. How the school ensures equal opportunities for all students and staff.

What FE Colleges Should Publish:

In addition to the above, FE colleges should provide:

1. An annual equality, diversity, and inclusion review, including data on protected characteristics at the following levels:✅ Board
   ✅ Executive Leadership
   ✅ Staff
   ✅ Students
2. Actions taken to address disparities in recruitment, leadership, and student outcomes.

How to Publish Public Sector Equality Duty Information Effectively

1. Create a Dedicated Equality & Diversity Page

1. Clearly title the page “Public Sector Equality Duty” or “Equality, Diversity & Inclusion”.
2. Place it in an easily accessible location under “Key Information” or “About Us”.

2. Publish an Annual Compliance Statement

Schools should summarise their commitment to equality with an annual update.

Example Statement:

“At [School Name], we are committed to eliminating discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity, and fostering good relations between different groups. We actively review our policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).”

3. Publish Measurable Equality Objectives

Equality objectives should be:

✅ Specific – Clearly define what the school is trying to achieve.
✅ Realistic – Goals that can be tracked and measured.
✅ Impactful – Focus on reducing inequalities in education and employment.

Example Objectives:

✔ Increase representation of underrepresented groups in leadership roles.

✔ Improve access to extracurricular activities for SEND students.

✔ Reduce the attainment gap for disadvantaged students.

4. Display Diversity Data Clearly (FE Colleges Only)

FE colleges must present data on protected characteristics across board, leadership, staff, and students. A simple table format can make this easier to understand.

Category	Representation (%)
Women on Executive Team	45%
Ethnic Minority Staff	22%
Students with SEND	18%

5. Explain Actions Taken to Address Inequality

1. Detail initiatives, programs, and training designed to reduce gaps and promote inclusivity.
2. Example:
3. “We have introduced unconscious bias training for all staff to ensure fair hiring practices and inclusive classroom environments.”

6. Ensure Accessibility & Compliance

1. Use simple, clear language to ensure the information is accessible.
2. Update annually and ensure the four-year equality objectives are current.

Example of Best Practice for Public Sector Equality Duty Reporting

Public Sector Equality Duty Statement – 2024

📄 Download Our Equality Objectives (PDF) (link to your document)

Our Commitment to Equality

At [School Name], we are dedicated to fostering an environment where all individuals are treated fairly and have equal opportunities. We take proactive steps to promote diversity, prevent discrimination, and advance inclusivity across our school community.

How We Comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty

✅ Annual review of policies to ensure compliance.
✅ Ongoing staff training on diversity and inclusion.
✅ Ensuring that all school activities are accessible to all pupils.

Our Equality Objectives for 2024–2028

1. Increase diversity in leadership roles by providing mentorship programs for underrepresented staff.
2. Improve SEND student support through tailored intervention strategies.
3. Reduce attainment gaps between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.

For more details on our approach to equality, view our full Equality & Diversity Policy.

Next Steps for Schools and Trusts

✅ Publish an annual compliance statement explaining how your school meets the Public Sector Equality Duty.
✅ Set and update equality objectives every four years.
✅ Ensure the information is structured clearly with measurable goals.
✅ For FE colleges, provide data on diversity and actions taken to address disparities.

For further guidance, explore our School Website Requirements Guide or join our School Marketing & Compliance Membership for expert advice.

Publishing equality information is more than a legal requirement—it’s a commitment to fairness, inclusion, and transparency in education. Let’s work together to make equality a priority!