Equal Opportunities Policy

1. Introduction

1.1    Kandu are committed to the need both to eliminate unlawful discrimination and to promote equality for learners, staff and others using learning facilities.

1.2   Kandu are committed to giving all learners every opportunity to achieve the highest standards by:

• taking account of their varied experiences and needs;
• offering a broad and balanced curriculum;
• having high expectations of all learners

1.3   Kandu complies with all current legislation concerning unfair discrimination and to promoting best practice in equality of treatment. This policy accords with the following legislation:

• Gender Equality Duty  2007
• Equality Act  2006
• Employment Equality (Age) Regulations  2006
• Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 & 2005
• Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations  2003
• Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations  2003
• Special Educational Needs and Disability Act  2001
• Race Relations (Amendment) Act  2000
• Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations  1999
• Human Rights Act  1998
• Sex Discrimination Acts of  1975 & 1986

2. Aims and Objectives

2.1Kandu does not unlawfully discriminate against anyone, whether pupil, parent, staff or visitor, on the grounds of gender, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief or age.

2.2Kandu promotes the principles of fairness and justice for all through the education that it provides in Kandu.

2.3Kandu seeks to ensure that, wherever possible, all learners have equal access to the full range of educational opportunities provided by Kandu.

2.4Kandu strives to constantly identify and remove any forms of indirect discrimination that may form barriers to learning for some groups by regularly assessing the impact of its policies, practices and guidelines.

2.5Kandu ensures that recruitment, employment, promotion and development opportunities are open to all.

2.6Kandu challenges personal prejudice and stereotypical views whenever they occur.  Kandu is aware that prejudice and stereotyping can be caused by misconception and by ignorance.  Through positive educational experiences, and support for each individual’s point of view, Kandu aims to promote positive social attitudes and respect for all.

2.7Kandu values each pupil’s worth, celebrating both people’s individuality and the cultural diversity of the community centred on Kandu and shows respect for everyone.

2.8Kandu and its staff strive to be proactive in tackling prejudice and unlawful discrimination.

3. Equal Opportunities in Recruitment

3.1       Recruitment and selection procedures and practices are regularly reviewed to ensure that no group is put at a disadvantage either directly or indirectly.

3.2In accordance with the spirit of this policy statement, employees are given an equal opportunity to progress within the organisation.

3.3 The aim of this policy is to ensure that no job applicant or employee is discriminated against on the grounds of gender, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief or age, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justified.

4 Equal Opportunities in the Curriculum

4.1Every student has an equal entitlement to the National Curriculum and, subject to entry requirements, to all other areas of the curriculum, regardless of language, gender, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief or age.

4.2learners should have equal access to the curriculum regardless of academic ability.  Consequently this policy should be read in conjunction with the Special Educational Needs Policy.

4.3All forms of individual and subject support, guidance, amenities and facilities, will be equally available to learners of both sexes.

4.4Behavioural  expectations and disciplinary sanctions will be free of any gender, race or culture bias.

4.5Tutors/Assessors/Verifiers will assess all materials and resources used for teaching and take appropriate action whenever possible to ensure that they reflect concepts, themes and information which seeks to eliminate prejudice, racism and discrimination.  Teachers should try to ensure that all learners feel that their language and culture is both acknowledged and valued.

4.6Kandu actively encourages an ethos in which all learners feel secure and valued.

5 Race / Ethnicity

5.1 Kandu will:

• strive to eliminate all forms of racism and racial discrimination;
• promote equality of opportunity;
• promote good relations between people of different racial and ethnic groups.

5.2 Kandu will not tolerate any form of racism or racist behaviour.  Should a racist incident occur, it will be dealt with in accordance with procedures.

5.3 Kandu endeavours to be welcoming to all minority groups.  The celebration and understanding of cultural diversity is promoted through the topics studied by the learners and is reflected in displays, resources and events.

5.4 Cultural diversity and respect for others are celebrated and reflected across the whole curriculum.  The curriculum will enhance learners’ understanding of Welsh, British and world society and history, including the contributions of minority ethnic groups.

5.5 Kandu will give learners the understanding they need to recognise prejudice and reject racial discrimination.

6 Gender / Sex [see also 4.3]

6.1 Kandu will constantly examine its curriculum, procedures and materials for gender bias or inequality.

6.2 Kandu tries to ensure that tutors allocate their time fairly between the sexes;

7 Disability

7.1Kandu is committed to meeting the needs of learners with disabilities, as it is to meeting the needs of all learners and staff.  Kandu endeavours to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as amended by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.  All reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that disabled learners are not placed at any disadvantage compared to non-disabled learners.  The legislation states that people with disabilities may be treated more favourably and this requirement should be considered.

7.2Kandu is committed to providing an environment that allows disabled learners full access to all areas of learning or associated services provided for, or offered to, learners at Kandu.

7.3Tutors will modify teaching and learning as appropriate for learners with disabilities.  For example, they may give additional time to complete certain activities or modify teaching materials or offer alternative activities where learners are unable to manipulate tools or equipment.

8 Religion / Belief

8.1 Kandu respects the religious beliefs and practices of all staff, learners, parents and visitors and will comply with all reasonable requests relating to religious observance and practice. This includes respect for lack of religion or belief, as in humanism and atheism.

9 Sexual Orientation

9.1 Kandu will make no assumption about the sexual orientation of any of the  members of its community.

9.2 Derogatory name-calling (of any sort) is unacceptable.

10 Age

10.1 Kandu will put procedures in place to ensure that no-one is denied a job, an equal chance of training or promotion or suffers from harassment or victimisation because of their age.