College Policies

Race Equality Policy

Previously, the college Equal Opportunities Policy, making specific reference to race equality, was thought to cover the relevant legislative requirements.  The College AAV (Annual Assessment Visit) of January 2006, and following the Race Relations Amendment Act 2004, stated that a separate policy, or at least a separate section of the equal opportunities policy, was necessary.  The College is aware of its particular responsibilities in an overwhelmingly all-white area (99.2% in 2001 Census).

Race Equality Policy

College is committed to delivering equal opportunities to all students and staff.  The Race Equality Policy specifically seeks:

• to prevent unlawful racial discrimination
• to promote equality of opportunity
• to promote good race relations between people of different racial groups, in college and beyond
• to monitor, review and improve the implementation of good practice.

The policy will be reviewed every three years.

Race Equality Scheme: Policy into Practice

The college will actively encourage positive attitudes towards ethnic variety:

• provide examples of good practice for all staff e.g. wall displays, course books and other learning material, to promote positive images of ethnic variety.
• through the student bullying and harassment policy, make it clear that all people in society must be treated with and talked about with respect.
• be prepared to implement its disciplinary procedures against students who break the rules.
• ensure that its application policies and enrolment practices deliver equal opportunity.
• ensure that teaching, student support and guidance deliver equal opportunity.
• ensure that its employment policies and practices deliver equal opportunity.
• ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities under the legislation, updated through relevant INSET or memoranda.
• be prepared to implement its disciplinary procedures against staff who fail to deliver equal opportunities under the act.
• provide a report on race equality issues in the annual equal opportunities report.
• check with providers e.g. canteen and cleaning staff, that they are aware of their duties under the act.

Monitoring

The Act requires monitoring of:

• the elimination of unlawful racial discrimination
• the promotion of equal opportunities
• the promotion of good race relations

The College will:

• seek the views of students in its delivery and achievement of race equality.
• monitor applications, enrolments and achievements of ethnic minority students and compare with overall figures.
• monitor applications and appointments of members of ethnic minorities to the staff, and existing staff applications for staff development.
• where numbers permit, differentiate between members of different ethnic minority groups and assess the effect and impact of the policy on each group.

Actions 2006-07

• Write to contract holders of canteen & other relevant contracts to ascertain their compliance with the Act.
• Establish student group to identify current performance. This will invite contributions from all students who have identified themselves as being of ethnic minority origin.
• Analyse potential impact on race equality of existing:
  • Systems and processes
  • Application (staff & student)
  • Enrolment (student)
  • Appointments (staff)
  • Induction (staff & student)
  • Marketing/Publicity materials
  • Recruitment Strategy
  • policies and procedures
  • Recruitment Strategy
  • Equal Opportunities Policy
  • Student Bullying and Harassment Policy
  • Disciplinary Procedure (staff & student)
  • Grievance Procedure (staff & student)
  • Health & Safety Policy
  • Private Study Policy
  • functions and services
  • Awarding of contracts
  • Teaching & learning, including tutorial programme
  • Canteen facilities
  • Role of the chaplaincy
  • Wall displays
  • customs and practices
  • Staff/student relations
  • Holidays
  • Acceptable reasons for absence

i.e. how do any of the above affect the college’s ability to comply with the act, and deliver the aims of the college policy.