Accessibility Statement

Website Accessibility Statement for Advantage Schools

Advantage Schools is committed to making its websites accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

These websites are run by Advantage Schools and this statement applies to

https://www.advantageschools.co.uk/

https://www.bedfordfreeschool.co.uk/

https://www.elstowschool.co.uk/

https://www.houstoneschool.co.uk/

https://www.laburnumprimary.co.uk/

https://www.queensparkacademy.co.uk/

https://www.thechalkhillsacademy.co.uk/

https://www.thelindenacademy.co.uk/

https://www.therushmereparkacademy.co.uk/

https://www.thestockwoodparkacademy.co.uk/

https://www.thevaleacademy.co.uk/

https://www.sixthform.advantageschools.co.uk/

Advantage Schools want as many people as possible to be able to use its websites. For example, that means you should be able to:

  • Change colours, contrast levels, and fonts using browser or device settings.
  • Zoom in up to 400% without the text spilling off the screen.
  • Navigate most of the website using a keyboard or speech recognition software.
  • Listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver).

Advantage Schools has also made its websites text as simple as possible to understand.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

Accessibility Features

  • Responsive Design: The websites are designed to work on various devices and screen sizes, including desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones.
  • Keyboard Navigation: The websites are navigable via keyboard to accommodate users who cannot use a mouse.
  • Text Readability: Clear and legible fonts, sufficient colour contrast, and adjustable text size are used to enhance readability.
  • Alternative Text: Images and graphics include descriptive alternative text to assist users with visual impairments.
  • Captioning and Transcripts: Majority of the multimedia content, such as videos, includes captions or transcripts where applicable.
  • Form Auto-Complete: Forms are designed with validation and auto-completion features for ease of use.

Non-Compliance with Accessibility Regulations

School Exemption

The websites are partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standard due to the exemptions outlined below.

Primary and secondary schools or nurseries are partially exempt from some requirements, except for content needed to access essential services, such as forms for school meal preferences.

Non-Compliant Content

Advantage Schools is aware that some parts of the websites are not fully accessible:

  • Older PDF Documents: Many older PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software.
  • Embedded Google Maps: These are not accessible within the site.
  • Bespoke Styled Forms: Some forms with bespoke styling may not be fully accessible although forms built in the content management system have been designed with accessibility in mind.

Advantage Schools is committed to addressing these issues as soon as possible. We encourage you to notify us of any issues raised in order for us to review the changes we can make to improve this. We ensure that:

Images: where necessary, alternative text for images is included. If any images lack a text alternative, making them inaccessible to screen readers, this will be rectified upon notification.

Video: every effort to ensure that videos have appropriate frame titles, captions, and transcriptions. If any videos lack these features, the issue will be resolved when notified.

Links: links are descriptive and accessible. If any links are not descriptive, this will be addressed when notified.

Tables: tables include the appropriate headings for accessibility. Any tables lacking defined headings will be corrected upon notification.

Brand Colours: the required contrast ratio for brand colours and text is met. Any text that fails to meet contrast requirements will be addressed when notified.

Screen Reader Compatibility: the websites are built to be compatible with screen readers but is working to further enhance this with the website provider. Any screen readers that are not compatible will be investigated when notified.

Ongoing Efforts

Advantage Schools is continually working to improve the accessibility of its websites by:

  • Regular Audits and User Testing: conducting annual accessibility audits and user testing to identify and address any issues.
  • User Feedback: actively encourage user feedback to improve accessibility and resolve any difficulties faced.
  • Keeping Up-to-date: continue to stay informed about evolving accessibility standards and best practices.

Third-Party Content

While Advantage Schools aims to ensure all content on the websites are accessible, some third-party materials or linked resources may not fully meet accessibility standards. Advantage Schools encourages you to contact the trust if you experience difficulties accessing external content.

Enforcement Procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. If you're not happy with how Advantage Schools responds to your complaint, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical Information About this Website's Accessibility

Advantage Schools is committed to making its websites accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance Status: The websites are partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standard due to the exemptions and non-compliances outlined above.

Need Assistance?

If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improving your experience, please contact:

When reporting an issue, please include:

  • The webpage or feature you experienced difficulties with.
  • Your contact information (optional, if you would like a response).

Commitment to Improvement

Advantage Schools values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing an accessible online experience for all members of its communities. Your feedback is essential in helping the trust achieve this goal.

This statement was prepared through a self-assessment in liaison with the website provider of the websites’ accessibility in line with WCAG 2.2 guidelines.

This statement was last updated June 2025.