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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

At Colchester Institute, everyone has the right to learn, work and visit in a safe, respectful and inclusive environment. We are committed to creating a College community where students, apprentices, staff and visitors feel welcome, supported and able to succeed.​

We expect everyone to treat others with dignity, kindness and respect, including where there are differences in background, belief, identity, experience or viewpoint.​

We all have a responsibility to help keep our College safe and inclusive by looking out for one another, challenging unacceptable behaviour where it is safe to do so, and reporting concerns through the appropriate College channels. Concerns will be taken seriously, and support is available for anyone affected.

Colchester Institute will not tolerate harassment, bullying, discrimination, victimisation, abuse, hate or harmful behaviour in any form. This includes behaviour from students, parents or carers, staff, visitors, contractors or other third parties. Harassment, abuse, intimidation, or threatening behaviour towards members of the College community will result in action. This may include removal from the premises, withdrawal of access, and, where appropriate, referral to external authorities, including the police.

We are a College proud to encourage widening participation. We aim to provide a welcoming environment in which all learners are encouraged to realise their full potential; where every individual is valued and offered equal opportunity to progress.

To achieve this the College aims to ensure that all actual or potential learners are treated in an equivalent fashion regardless of age, disability, family responsibility, marital status, race, colour, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, trade union activity and any other irrelevant criteria. We seek to promote awareness of equality and diversity throughout the College and embrace diversity in all its aspects.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

OUR POLICY

Colchester Institute believes firmly that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential factors which contribute to the academic and economic strengths of the College and the wellbeing of all students and staff. This policy deals with the promotion of equality of opportunity for all at Colchester Institute College in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

The policy states our intention to treat all members and potential members of the College community with respect and dignity and seek to provide a safe and positive working and learning environment, free from discrimination, harassment or victimisation.

The College is committed to providing a learning and working environment that values all forms of diversity and seeks to create a culture of conscious inclusion in which issues of racism, stereotyping and discrimination can be discussed openly with a shared commitment to challenging prejudice.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report

This report has been written to allow all of our students and partners to recognise and understand the current position of the College in relation to how our learners achieve and develop regardless of their characteristics. A separate Staff Equality report also outlines the make-up of our staff and the objectives we hold for the future diversity, equity and inclusion in our recruitment and HR processes. The report constitutes a summary of the College’s approach to meeting the general and specific duties of the Equalities Act 2011. Further details about the action we intend to take can be found in the College’s Strategic Plan 2024-28.

Gender Identity and Inclusion Statement

At Colchester Institute and University Centre Colchester, in line with our published values, we are dedicated to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all. This includes supporting individuals who are exploring or have made changes to their gender identity.

Everyone in our community, whether a student, a member of staff or a visitor – deserves to feel safe, valued, and heard.

In April 2025, the UK Supreme Court clarified the definitions of ‘woman’, ‘man’, and ‘sex’ under the Equality Act 2010. The ruling also restated the legal protections for transgender individuals against discrimination and harassment.

While this offers legal clarity, we understand that it has also raised complex, and at times challenging, questions for members of our community.

Here at Colchester Institute, we are clear that we will uphold the law as required, but always with care, empathy, and a strong commitment to supporting every member of our College and University Centre community. Together, we will continue to build an environment that is respectful, inclusive, and safe for all.

It must also be stated that harassment, discrimination, or bullying – based on gender identity or any other protected characteristic – will never be tolerated at Colchester Institute.

To report inappropriate behaviour, please follow the guidance in our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Sources of support

We know that this may be a time of uncertainty and anxiety for some of you, or those close to you. Talking to someone can be a real source of support, whether that is a friend, tutor, trusted colleague or the Student Services Welfare Team.  The Student Services Welfare Team are available to support all students, whether it be a listening ear or support in connecting with external support services.

Access support at Colchester Institute

  • For students you can email sswelfare@colchester.ac.uk; pop in and see us (Ground Floor B Block Colchester Campus or in the Student Hub at the Braintree Campus), call on 01206 712354 or 01206 814194 (Braintree)
  • For Staff – access the Employee Assistance Programme –  Spectrum Life

Connecting with support outside of Colchester Institute (staff and students)

  • The OUTHOUSE – Local support for all LGBTQ+ individuals
  • Mermaids – Support for children and young people, support line and web chat for young people under 20 years old
  • The Beaumont Society – National self-help organisation
  • FFLAG – National organisation supporting parents, families and their LGBT+ members
  • TransActual – UK organisation that aims to share reliable information about trans people’s lives and trans rights in the UK
  • LGBT Foundation – Information and support  line
  • Stonewall – Information and resources
Association of Colleges Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Charter

Colchester Institute is proud to have signed up to the Association of Colleges Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Charter, a national initiative for Further Education (FE) in England.

Governors committed to the Charter and to the statement below at the Board meeting on Friday 28 March 2025, further strengthening our public commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and reflecting our core values.

The full AoC Charter, signed by Alison Andreas, Principal and Chief Executive and Lisa Blake, Chair of Governors can be read below.

Association of College’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – Colchester Institute Signed Document

What does signing the charter mean for the Colchester Institute community?

In order to embrace the spirit and the letter of the Charter, Colchester Institute has evaluated current performance and practice and has taken feedback, including a comprehensive staff survey.  From that activity, four overarching priorities were identified, with commitment statements for each.  These can be read below:

Colchester Institute and Association of College Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Charter

Additional Learning Support

Colchester Institute is committed to inclusive learning and widening participation; the college also take its responsibilities under the The Equality Act 2010 very seriously. This means that all applicants and learners who have disabilities and/or learning difficulties are entitled to receive support to enable them to participate as fully as possible in College life and to enable them to complete their programme of study successfully, Additional Learning Support (ALS) will include any activity that provides direct support to individual learners, over and above that which is provided in their standard learning programme and which leads to their Primary Learning Goal.  The need may arise from a learning difficulty or disability or from literacy, numeracy or language support requirements.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Policy Further Education Students

Where do I go to get Additional Learning Support?

If you are an existing or prospective student and you feel you would benefit from ALS then please contact the ALS team who are located in room B63 on the Ground Floor of the Main Building, or by phone on 01206 712703 or 01206 712519. Text phone 07834 339739.

Transforming Lives
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