Education and Training Organisations
with over 50 Staff 2015 Finalist ~
Newcastle College
Newcastle College has a diverse
population of staff and students and serves
a wide geographical area, regionally,
nationally and internationally. Equality is
not only high on the agenda in terms of
awareness but embedded into their
provision as one of the largest learning
providers in the UK and substantial
regional employer.
The college is committed to promoting
equality and valuing diversity and in
September 2014 launched their new four
year Equality Strategy which builds on their
previous Single Equality Scheme 2010-14.
The creation of the Equality Strategy 20142018 was to ensure that all equality actions
are centralised and can be monitored. This
also enables them to ensure that the
information collated has true purpose and
demonstrates not only their compliance
with but exceeding of their Public Sector
Equality Duties.
The implementation of the Equality
Strategy has many aims. These include:
increase customer satisfaction, enhance
reputation, strengthen roots within
communities, meet wider needs of learners
and customers, become an employer of
choice, enhance partnerships and match or
exceed the requirements of legislation and
external funding agencies.
Their first equality objective, which is
specifically aimed to address
underrepresentation in male dominated
subject areas, a number of actions have
been taken. There are now more female
engineering staff being recruited in Aviation,
Automotive, Engineering and Technical and
Professional sections. These female staff
act as role models and visit primary and
secondary schools to encourage young
females into STEM subjects.
The second equality objective for
Newcastle College in the Equality Strategy
was to hold 20 learner forums during each
year dedicated to identifying and
addressing disadvantages suffered by
learners who share protected
characteristics. Rather than set up
dedicated forums, Schools have addressed
this during their normal learner focus
Room G~2, Gateshead College, Construction Centre,
th
8 Avenue Kingsway South, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0JL
tel: 0191 426 4399 email: [email protected] www.equality-ne.co.uk
Company Reg No. 03446734
groups and within tutorial Personal
Progress Review sessions, this is to
ensure that this is embedded within normal
sessions and not seen as ‘an add on’.
on year increase, in particular to local
community work. As a large organisation
they feel that they are able to really give
something back to the local community.
Feedback from various methodologies
including the Student Surveys and Learner
Forums identify that there were no specific
issues identified that affected learners who
share protected characteristics.
As a college, they recognise the importance
to celebrate diversity in staff, learner and
customer community. This diversity reflects
visible and non-visible differences, which
include factors such as age, disability,
physical and mental health, marital status,
national origin including language ability,
political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, social background and trade
union membership. Harnessing these
differences will support a positive and
cohesive culture in which all individuals are
valued, where their potential is maximised
and through which their mission can be
achieved.
The college is also committed to the
continued professional development of all
staff who are encouraged to undertake
specialist training delivered by disability
professionals. This year, training was
rolled out across the college and 16
Professional Boundaries classroom-based
training sessions have been undertaken
with a total of 229 staff taking part. A
further 63 staff undertook an online
session.
They recognise and celebrate outstanding
contributions to embracing diversity made
by learners and staff and showcase their
fantastic work through their annual
‘Embracing Diversity Awards’.
The college has a strong commitment to
Corporate and Social Responsibility and
undertakes projects to widen participation
that goes beyond the nine protected
characteristics. Fundraising activities have
taken place across the whole of the college
raise money for local charities including
those that support disability, the elderly
and respite care. They encourage a year
Their rationale behind continuing with
general awareness is that an organisation
should never rest on its laurels and become
complacent that everything is in place. It is
still fundamentally important that the grass
roots level is still addressed especially in
transient populations in particular from the
student perspective.
For more information about the North East
Equality Awards, please visit our website,
www.equality-ne.co.uk/awards or contact
Equality North East on 0191 426 4399 or
email [email protected].
...leading the way to a
fairer future...
Room G~2, Gateshead College, Construction Centre,
th
8 Avenue Kingsway South, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0JL
tel: 0191 426 4399 email: [email protected] www.equality-ne.co.uk
Company Reg No. 03446734