SINGLE EQUALITY SCHEME
Contents
Page no:
1 Introduction 3
2. Equality & Diversity at John Leggott College3
3. The John Leggott College context3/4
4. Our Mission/ Vision4
5. Key Aims4
6. John Leggott College Equality & Diversity commitment4/5
7. Outline of E & D at John Leggott College 5/6
8. Responsibilities6/7
9. Reviewing and Monitoring Equality and Diversity7
10. Breaches of the Policy8
Appendix 1 Action plan
1 Introduction
1.1 John Leggott College’s Single Equality Scheme has been informed by the Single Equality Act (2010) which brought together different former strands of equality legislation covering age, disability, ethnicity, gender, transgender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and socio-economic inequalities.
1.2 The legal framework that underpins the Equality Act 2010 is intended to promote and protect the dignity of all persons in society.
2. Equality & Diversity at John Leggott College
2.1 The College’s approach to equality is focused on everyone being treated fairly, removing barriers to success, participation and that equality is not about treating everyone the same but recognising that equality of opportunity requires the College to respond to different needs to achieve the same outcomes, free from discrimination and harassment.
2.2 Diversityis about respecting, valuing and celebrating aspects that make us unique as individuals - recognising that we contribute because of these aspects, not in spite of them.
2.3 The legislation is clear that discrimination should not be either direct or indirect.
- Direct Discrimination – treating individuals differently because of their ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.
- Indirect Discrimination – placing individuals at a disadvantage because of certain working practices or rules.
3. The John Leggott College context
3.1 John Leggott College has one campus, with approximately 190016-19 year old full time students. The College offers a wide range of courses A Levels, BTEC Level 2, 3 & 4, GCSEs and Foundation Learning. We have developed six pathways which show the courses that work well together based upon career or higher education aspirations and key areas of interest.
3.2 The overall student population is around 79% White British, 5% Asian/Asian British - Chinese, %White – other, with the rest of the population being made up of a variety of other ethnic groups. In the academic year 2013-2014, 52% of students are female and 48% are male with 8% having been identified as having a specific learning difficulty or disability. Students are predominantly drawn from the secondary schools in the Scunthorpe and surrounding areas but increasingly we are recruiting students from a wider geographical area.
4. Our Mission/ Vision
4.1 We provide a highly motivating environment that develops the talent of students, through both academic and personal learning, and which launches them forwards in life. We are fully accountable for the progress that our students make and we enrol students in order that they can reach their potential
4.2 "We will be known to be one of the most successful and progressive providers of post-16 education in the world."
5. Key Aims
5.1To empower and support students to pursue and achieve academically and for every student irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, transgender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and socio-economic inequalities.
5.2To support and maximise students’ academic success in a safe and caring environment.
6. John Leggott College Equality & Diversity commitment:
6.1The College will not tolerate any forms of less favourable treatment of individuals and/or groups, whether through direct or indirect discrimination, harassment, victimisation or segregation on the grounds of age, disability, ethnicity, gender (and transgender), race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and socio-economic inequalities).
6.2The College seeks to avoid stereotyping and will ensure that all staff, students and other stakeholders are treated as individuals in their own right.
- The College is committed to a proactive approach to equality of opportunity, identifying students’ needs and supporting them, to strive to narrow achievement gaps.
- The College strives to ensure all students achieve their potential using challenging targets, in a supportive and caring environment.
- The College actively celebrates diversity, aiming to ensure that differences between people, groups and identities are understood, valued and respected, ensuring that any discrimination is identified and acted upon.
- The College consults stakeholders (e.g. employees, students and parents) and takes account of relevant information, from a variety of sources, including the Student Union.
- The College ensures the policy is implemented, monitored and reported upon annually.
7. Outline of E & D at John Leggott College
7.1All students are interviewed prior to enrolment ensuring students receive support and pre-course guidance so they choose the right course combination for their future aspirations; this guidance is free from bias or prejudice.
7.2The College is committed to ensuring that all students receive the best possible learning experience. E&D is embedded into curriculum planning, schemes of work and lesson planning.
7.3A team of staff have a key role as E&D committee members, embedding aspects of E&D into the everyday life of the College’s activities and wider college community.
7.4Teaching is tailored to meet the needs of learners irrespective of their age, disability, ethnicity, gender, transgender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and socio-economic inequalities.
7.5Staff and students are provided with a positive working environment and are protected from harassment, bullying or discrimination. Students have support and advice from members of staff, including Mentors and access to counselling and chaplaincy services, in addition to a specialist Safeguarding Officer and security team to ensure they feel safe.
7.6 All John Leggott College students follow a programme of study that includes their curriculum course and enrichment programmes which are free from bias and promotes equality and diversity. All students are supported to ensure they achieve their potential.
7.7Schemes of work, lesson content and teaching resources demonstrate sensitivity to issues of equality and diversity.
7.8The College works closely with schools in Key Stage 4to monitor progression to and from College to ensure students have access to careers information, advice and guidance to inform their career plan.
7.9We will ensure we work with regional and national access centres to support progression to Higher Education and addressing student needs.
7.10All policiesare available on the College’s internet and intranet, and promoted/ communicated to staff and students.
7.11All learners have access to appropriate additional learner support (if required) and facilities (multi-faith room).
7.12The College’s publicity materials present appropriate and positive images for all individuals in society, e.g. the Two Ticks Scheme; ‘Positive about Disability’ – the five commitments.
7.13John Leggott College strategic plan fosters a positive ethos with regard to Equality and Diversity. The operational plan for Equality and Diversity is produced, implemented and reviewed on an annual basis. This plan covers all the strands within Equality and Diversity.
7.14Information about how the College is celebrating and sharing news about Equality and Diversity with all its internal and external stakeholders will be included in its internal and external communications, e.g. the College’s internet and intranet, the weekly Student Bulletins, College displays, cross college events that feature in the E&D calendar of events; designed to highlight, embed and celebrate E&D opportunities that occur over the cycle of the academic year.
8. Responsibilities
8.1All staff, students and governors have a personal responsibility for the practical application of equality policies.
8.2The Principal and the Governing Body have overall responsibility for meeting the legal requirements of the Single Equality Scheme and ensuring the policy is followed.
8.3The Director of HR and OD has responsibility for ensuring that fair and adequate arrangements are in place for helping to raise staff awareness of their responsibilities under equality legislation. Giving active support to the policy involves ensuring staff understand and implement the policy.
8.4The Director of HR and OD with the support of the E&D Committee will review, produce and implement the Equality and Diversity Operational plan
8.5The Director of HR and OD will report against the policies annually and review the policies at least every three years.
8.6All staff must be aware of the Single Equality Scheme and the operational plan and be guided by its principles in their teaching and interactions with all stakeholders at the College, understanding how their respective role(s) contribute to the College’s wider E&D strategy.
9. Reviewing and Monitoring Equality and Diversity
9.1 The Equality and Diversity Plan will be reviewed annually, reviewing relevant data and stakeholder voice input. Reports on progress will be submitted to the Governing Body. Changes may be made in the interim in response to organisational changes, legislative changes or other factors necessitating review.
9.2 This information will be monitored by SMT and Corporation and shared with staff to help with future action planning. Any follow up work will be conducted as appropriate.
9.3 The Director of HR and OD has lead responsibility on Equality issues and ensures:
- There is the development of appropriate policies and procedures that meet the College’s legal duties and enable it to address and identify areas for development.
- The College identifies and disseminates good equality practices, e.g. in teaching and learning in consultation with other colleagues and the actions being implemented by E&D committee.
- The College considers and recommends relevant training programmes for staff, governors and students.
- The College identifies key action points and areas for development from the use of college data, reviews and complaints.
- The College sets targets for future improvements and monitors their implementation.
10. Breaches of the Policy
10.1 Breaches of the Single Equality Scheme will be dealt with under staff or student disciplinary procedures (as applicable).
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Single Equality Scheme November 13 DMH