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Belonging and Inclusion

Students outsideWe are proud of the social and cultural diversity of our community at New College Durham. It is a strength that inspires innovation, creativity, and compassion. 

Our college is a place of learning and working, for everyone. A place that advances equality of opportunity, celebrates diversity, and empowers everyone to achieve their fullest potential.

We promise to:

  • Embed equality and diversity into all our practices.
  • Advance equality and diversity.
  • Celebrate diversity and difference.
  • Tackle all forms of discrimination.
  • Educate staff, students, and our community, actively and consistently working to build and maintain an environment that is safe, empowering, compassionate, and fair.

What does belonging and inclusion mean to our staff and students?

Although we share a common humanity, each of us is unique.

Belonging and inclusion mean recognising and valuing those differences so that everyone feels accepted, respected, and able to contribute.

Every individual should feel they have a place in the college community and an equal opportunity to fulfil their talents, aspirations, and potential without their life chances being limited by their background, identity, or circumstances.

Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and to have fair, inclusive access to education, so that they can participate fully and confidently.

Achieving equality is not about making everyone the same, but about creating the conditions that allow people to thrive. Sometimes, this means offering different kinds of support so that everyone can belong, feel included, and have a genuine and equal chance to succeed.

What have we been doing in College?

  • equality and Diversity is central to what we do and not an ‘add-on’;
  • it is more than words it is actions!
  • our practices and services are legal, accessible and fair to all learners, service users and employees;
  • we are a Disability Confident Leader.
  • have achieved Better Health at Work Award gold and working towards maintaining excellence.
  • we have signed up to the County Durham Pledge of being committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our students and staff.
  • mindful employer
  • achieved Inclusive Employer Standard Bronze
  • achieved SHINE Advanced accreditation

  • maintaining excellence for Better Health at Work

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