Equality & Diversity

The College actively promotes equality of opportunity for all its students, employees and users regardless of such characteristics as age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and social economic background. It values diversity and encourages mutual respect in all relationships.

Policy

The College will continuously strive to:

  • develop an awareness of equality & diversity issues amongst all staff, students & users
  • encourage the promotion of equality & diversity in all aspects of College life
  • ensure that all members of the College community are valued equally
  • combat discriminatory practices and stereotyping
  • prevent oppressive behaviour, including all forms of harassment
  • monitor equality and diversity and investigate any issues which arise
  • comply fully with the requirements of Single Equality Scheme and all other relevant legislation
  • eliminate all discrimination and promote equality of opportunity relating to age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and socio-economic background
  • recognise and value diversity

Policy Guidelines

  • The College supports the view that legislation and passive support are not sufficient to achieve equality of opportunity. Unfair discrimination is incompatible with good educational practice and will be dealt with under the College’s Disciplinary and Grievance procedures.
  • The College believes that Equality & Diversity should permeate every aspect of college life, including the whole curriculum and guidance.
  • The College will ensure that, through the Student Support and Guidance System, all students are aware of the College’s policy and equality & diversity issues.
  • The College’s Staff Development Programme will provide appropriate training for all staff in relation to equality & diversity issues.
  • The College will seek evidence of equality of opportunity in curriculum delivery through its lesson observation scheme.
  • The Equality & Diversity Policy of the College will be summarised in the College Prospectus and be referred to in other College publications.
  • Reasonable adjustments to facilities and practices will be made to avoid discrimination on grounds of disability against any student or person employed by the College or legitimately making use of its facilities.
  • The College will apply its Equality & Diversity Policy to all areas in the employment process, including the recruitment of new staff. Copies of the policy will be included in the information sent to applicants for employment at the College.
  • The College acknowledges that all members of the College community should have equal access to the facilities and services offered by the College.
    A Complaints Procedure is available to students, details of which are available in the College Charter.
  • A Grievance Procedure is available to staff, details of which are available in the Personnel Procedures Manual.
  • The policy will be displayed in each tutor room and will be brought to the attention of all students.
  • The Equality & Diversity Committee will meet every term to consider, develop, monitor and promote equality & diversity issues.

If you want to raise an issue regarding Equality & Diversity, please speak to:

  • Your Tutor Group Representative, asking her/him to take the issue to the Student Association meeting or attend the meeting yourself
  • Any member of the Student Association Executive (see student diary)
  • Any member of staff and ask for the issue to be raised at the Equality & Diversity Committee

Supporting Documents

  • Student Diary
  • Personnel Procedures Manual (available from the Personnel Officer, Curriculum Support or on-line Staff Guide)
  • College Charter (available from the General Office)
  • Equality & Diversity Committee Terms of Reference (available from the General Office)
  • Single Equality Scheme & Action Plan
  • Anti-bullying Policy (available from the General Office)