Equality, Diversity & Child Protection
Equality and Diversity including Race Equality
The College aims to offer equality of opportunity to all students in terms of both access to and the teaching of the curriculum. All students will be encouraged to achieve their potential, and to recognise and respect the worth of all individuals irrespective of age, disability, gender, race religion or belief and sexual orientation. Two elected student members of the Student Representative Council Executive help to promote awareness amongst the student body, to offer support and advice on request, and to assist with monitoring the implementation of the Equality and Diversity Policy within the College.
The Race Equality Policy and Procedures cross-refer to all College policies and in particular to the College's Equality and Diversity Policy and Procedures.
The Equality and Diversity Policy and Procedures and the Race Equality Policy and Procedures observe the principles of inclusive learning for students to ensure that:
- there is open access for all students to courses subject to entry requirements;
- every student has the opportunity to develop his/her potential;
- as far as possible, there is equality of access to benefits, services and facilities available in the College.
Copies of the College Equality and Diversity Policy and Procedures and the Race Equality Policy and Procedures are available upon request.
Disability Equality Duty
The latest Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) passed into law in 2005 and came into effect at the end of 2006. Part of its remit is the Disability Equality Duty (DED) which places an obligation on public bodies, including colleges, to promote equality between disabled people and other people.
Hereford Sixth Form College is fully committed to promoting positive attitudes towards disabled people and to ensuring equality of opportunity for all.
Gender Equality Duty
The Gender Equality Duty (GED) is a new legislative requirement which came into force in April 2007. The GED requires public authorities, including colleges, to take a pro-active approach to gender equality issues across the board, rather than on an individual basis. The duty is aimed at tackling institutional gender-related discrimination.
Single Equality Scheme Action Plan
The College's Single Equality Scheme Action Plan includes equality of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation. The Plan is published on the College website.
Child Protection
Hereford Sixth Form College is concerned that all students remain safe and free from harm and the College is committed to playing a full and active part in the multiagency response to child protection concerns. The College has a child protection policy, and accompanying procedures, to meet the requirements of the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. This policy is reviewed annually by the College's Governing Body.