EQUALITY & DIVERSITY

The College’s aims encompass a determination to ensure that all members of the College have an equal opportunity to maximize their potential, are valued equally and are treated with respect. It seeks to ensure that in respect of both employment and education, all are provided in an environment in which diversity is valued.

This commitment to equality and diversity underpins and influences all areas of College activity. The College is opposed to discrimination of any form and is committed to the protection of its members from such unlawful activity.

The College has a Single Equality Scheme (SES) which provides the framework for its commitment to:

• promoting equality of opportunity for current and prospective students and staff in a planned and proactive manner
• ensuring that there are no barriers to access, achievement and progress
  respecting and valuing the diversity of all who work and study at the College;
• Endeavouring to meet the needs of individuals and helping them to maximize their potential.
• Providing an environment of equal opportunity and freedom from discrimination.
• Providing an open, supportive working and learning experience of the highest standard.
• Responding to the needs of the local community.
  Celebrating diversity.
• Raising awareness and recognition of the nature and effects of prejudice, stereotyping and socio-economic disadvantage across the College.

The College will seek to:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination by incorporating equality duties into its policies and practices at all levels and fostering an ethos of respect and tolerance in all its members.
• Advance equality of opportunity by enabling all members to access services of the highest standard, regularly maintaining and checking that no groups are disadvantaged.
• Foster good relations by celebrating diversity, acting to resolve issues including discrimination and promoting the values of diversity and equality in all members.