Our Commitment

Bishop Auckland College is committed to an equality of opportunity that is intended to be an integral part of College life. To this end, the college is committed to equality of regard and of opportunity for all, irrespective of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, medical condition, religious belief or sexual orientation. In its policies and practices the college will seek to enhance the self esteem of all those it serves and to provide a learning environment in which each individual is encouraged to fulfill her or his potential.

This commitment to equality of regard and opportunity is a fundamental policy that pervades all college activities. All members of the college community are expected to uphold the policy and to ensure that their actions embody the commitment.

Bishop Auckland College is determined to promote social inclusion and the development of potential through the provision of quality lifelong learning opportunities to an increasing number of students.

The College therefore embraces equality and diversity in all of its aspects and aims to employ a workforce which reflects, at every level, the community, which it serves.

To this end, Bishop Auckland College will seek to ensure that:

1. publicity and advertising materials encourage the widest participation and are available in forms accessible to the largest audience and communication methods chosen (eg textphones, fax, email etc) demonstrate the College’s awareness of, and commitment to, good practice in extending access;
2. course admission requirements are free from unnecessary barriers to entry;
3. selection and admission procedures operate fairly, without bias and in accordance
   with the entry requirements of the course and are reviewed by the Equality and
   Diversity Working Group;
4. teaching and learning materials produced within the college are free from unfair
   discrimination and implied stereotypes;
5. assessments are fair to all candidates and provide impartial opportunities for
   candidates to demonstrate achievement;
6. all students have access to appropriate learning and pastoral support
7. administrative procedures are fair, considerate and unbiased.

Implementation

The commitment to equality of regard and opportunity is supported by Bishop Auckland College Single Equalities Scheme which is available from Client Services. This Scheme is intended to set out our commitment to equality and diversity and to demonstrate that equality and diversity are at the heart of what we do.
The operation of the Single Equalities Scheme will be monitored by the Equality and Diversity Working Group. The overall responsibility for the implementation of the Single Equalities Scheme lies with the Principal.
Students who feel that they have been unfairly discriminated against, or who have any grievance related to equality of regard or opportunity, are encouraged to seek advice from the Student Support Centre.

Training and Development

To support its commitment to equality of opportunity the College will assist staff to meet their professional obligations in respect of the policy. Training and other opportunities will be provided to encourage staff to become fully aware of the issues and of good practice in the field of equal opportunities, so that they may act with understanding, confidence and integrity.

Infringement

The right of every student to equality of regard and of opportunity, as embodied in the Single Equalities Scheme, is fundamental to all aspects of operation of the College. This means that direct discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, medical condition, religious belief or sexual orientation is not acceptable, and the College will take appropriate disciplinary action where individuals discriminate, or incite others to discriminate, in this way.
Equally, the College will not accept indirect discrimination, in which a regulation or procedure leads to unfair treatment, exclusion or disadvantage in respect of a particular group even though the regulation or procedure itself is not intended to have this effect.

Publicity

The existence of the Scheme will be publicised widely around the college and copies will be available from Client Services.

This document can be made available in alternative formats via requests from Client Services.