Equality and Diversity

The Littlehampton Academy is committed to working towards creating a world without hair discrimination and believe that no-one should have to change their natural hairstyle in order to thrive.

Race-based hair discrimination is illegal in the UK and hair is a protected characteristic, under the law.  However, 58% of black students experience name-calling or uncomfortable questions about their hair at school.  1 in 4 black adults report that they had a negative experience when at school in relation to their hair texture.  46% of parents say that school policies penalise afro hair.  World Afro Day and De Montfort University (2016) The Good Hair Study by the Perception Institute and the Hair Equality Report.

Trust Code

As a Trust, we have signed up to the Halo Code to protect the rights of black students and staff.

Our workplace champions the rights of staff to embrace all Afro-hairstyles.  We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black employees' racial, ethnic, cultural and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance.

We celebrate Afro-textured hair worn in all styles, including but not limited to, Afros, blocs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps.

At The Littlehampton Academy, we recognise and celebrate our colleagues' identities.  We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect, where hair texture and style have no bearing on an employees' ability to succeed.