New College Durham is committed to policies and practices based on the principles of equality and diversity for its learners, customers and employees. This commitment is a key focus of the College’s Vision and Values:
1. Vision
To be recognised as a leading provider of Further and Higher Education, contributing to the social and economic well being of the region and enabling individuals to fulfil their potential through learning, achievement and progression.
2. Values
- As an employer and a learning organisation, we will: -
- celebrate achievement in learning of all kinds;
- act fairly, openly and transparently;
- achieve and maintain the highest standards in everything that we do;
- fulfil our commitment to equal opportunities and the rights of others.
3. Our Aim
We aim to ensure that the College is a place where learning and working exists in an environment that promotes equality of opportunity, celebrates diversity and allows everyone to achieve to their fullest potential. The College is opposed to any form of discrimination. We recognise that positive action will be needed to achieve and maintain this aim.
4. Our Commitment
We will continue to work to ensure that the College develops the reputation and practice that will attract and retain a diversity of learners who want to study in the organisation and the very best job applicants/employees from all backgrounds.
5. Equality and Diversity Objectives
We will achieve this through a commitment to the following Equality and Diversity Objectives, which inform our Action Plan for Equality and Diversity.
a) To have policies and procedures in place to comply with legislation and to fulfil the College’s commitment to equality of opportunity for all.
b) To raise awareness of, and commitment to, equal opportunities across all aspects of the organisation.
c) To develop and share good practice in embedding the principles of Equality and Diversity across all aspects of the organisation, in order to become a centre of developing excellence.
d) To work with learners, staff and external agencies to address the barriers faced by particular groups of people and to allow full participation in the promotion of Equality and Diversity.
e) To monitor, measure and evaluate the impact of Equality and Diversity policies, provision and action plans.
6. Links with other College Documents
This policy statement relates to a number of documents and procedures across the range of College functions but it has particular links with the following:
7. Legislation
Our commitment to Equality and Diversity takes account of a number of legislative publications, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (SDA)
- Race Relation Act 1976
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Age Diversity in Employment: a code of practice 1999
- Race Relation (Amendment) Act 2000
- Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA)
- Disability Discrimination Acts of 1995 and 2005: Disability Equality Duty
- Equality Act 2006
- Gender Equality Duty 2007
However, Equality and Diversity is not just about compliance with legislation; it goes wider. New College Durham will demonstrate its commitment to the vision, values and aims of this statement by: embedding Equality and Diversity philosophy and practice into all activities undertaken in the College and by creating an environment which welcomes, values and builds on diversity.
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