Learning Providers & Colleges

ofOver 50 Staff

2010Finalist – Darlington College (2)

Darlington College is a further and higher education provider. They offer a whole range of qualifications from entry level, including essential skills in literacy and numeracy, right through to degree level studies and professional management awards.

In March 2010, the College was awarded Beacon status for its excellence in teaching and learning and the achievement of grade1 ‘Outstanding’ in the OFSTED inspection.

As a result of a recent staff survey, the College management group were asked to look at those areas where responses indicated that 30% or more of the staff disagreed with the statement being made. One of these areas was staff views with only 48.7% of staff feeling they are encouraged to say what they really think; another was 58.2% of staff feeling they received feedback on implementation of their suggestions for improvement.

To address is this a staff voice strategy by the Principal and Communications

Manager has been developed. Representatives from directorates and department have been invited to be members of the group, but managers are not permitted to attend. This is so that staff will speak more freely without their line managers present.

Staff Awareness

Staff and students are encouraged to learn more about different cultures and to update and develop skills and qualifications.

Cultural Awareness

There is a designated Multi-Faith Room in College which is available for both staff and students. It is situated next to washing facilities, should people wish to wash before using the room.

There are established E&D display boards at Central Point and at Catterick which are used specifically for displays throughout the year. Displays on both religious and non-religious events take place.

An example of these during 2009/10 include:

  • Ramadan
  • Eid
  • Diwali
  • Remembrance Sunday
  • St Andrew’s Day
  • Christmas
  • National Holocaust Memorial Day
  • St Valentine’s Day
  • Chinese New Year
  • St David’s Day
  • St Patrick’s Day
  • Easter
  • St George’s Day
  • Coronation Day

The Food Court also mirrors the celebrated festivals where possible, e.g. for Chinese New Year, Chinese food is on sale. For St Valentine’s Day the students make cakes, at Easter they make Hot Cross Buns and for St George’s Day there is traditional English food on sale such as Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding.

During E&D Week, the Food Court again offers menus from different cultures, thereby educating students as to the different types of food eaten by other cultures. In 2009, the menu included food from:

  • China
  • Italy
  • England
  • India
  • Spain

Throughout the year, displays and demonstrations are held in Central Point showcasing students’ work. This year we have had a Japanese garden built by Construction students, Go Karts made by Motor Vehicle students and food made by Catering students.

Training

The College encourages staff to participate in training and development activities and to continue to develop professionally.

As part of this, the College has 4 mandatory training sessions which all staff (including the contracted out cleaners and car park attendants) must attend:

  • Safeguarding (Child Protection)

(with an update every 3 years)

  • Equal Opportunities – incorporating Gender; Age; Religion/Belief and Sexual Orientation
  • Race Relations
  • Disability Equality

For more information about the North East Equality Awards, please visit our website, or contact Equality North East on 0191 495 6262 or email .