Untitled - Priestley College

39 Pages·2013·1.83 MB·English

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Contents Page
1. Introduction 2
2. College Context 2
3. Promoting and Celebrating Diversity 4
4. Community Involvement 6
5. Curriculum Area Targets for Development 2011/12 20
6. Tackling Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination 21
7. Support for Disability Students and those with Learning Difficulties 21
8. Student Performance Monitoring 26
9. Student Satisfaction Rates 26
10. Role of the Equality and Diversity Committee 31
11. Equality and Diversity in Adult College 33
12. Staff Recruitment and Selection 20011/12 34
13. Training and Development 37
14. Moving Forward 37
15. Reporting and Publishing 37

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Introduction
Priestley College is committed to equality of opportunity for all who learn and work here. We
respect and value the diversity of our staff, students, visitors, contractors, governors and the
community. We strive to create a positive working and learning environment where everyone is
encouraged to meet their full potential. This commitment is enshrined in our College Mission
Statement.

THE COLLEGE MISSION

Our mission is to realise potential through inspirational teaching and learning in a wholly
supportive and caring environment.

We believe that everyone has a right to work or study with an equal chance to succeed and realise
their potential, free from discrimination or harassment. Promoting equality is everyone’s
responsibility and is embedded throughout our Single Equality Scheme and Action Plan. These
principles are supported through procedures and training.

This Annual Equality and Diversity Report details the progress we have made in 2011/12 towards
the Single Equality Scheme Action Plan.

College Context

The College has continued to work to close any identified achievement gap or areas of under
representation.

There was little change in the gender profile of the College with a slight increase of male students
from 44% in 2010 to 45% in 2011. Female numbers declined from 56% in 2010 to 55% in
2011.The percentage of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) students showed a small increase from
4.6% in 2010 to 5% in 2011. The overall College profile remains predominantly white with 93% in
2010 and 95% in 2011. The College has worked hard to clarify the broader range of ethnicity
categories, so there are fewer students in the ‘Not Known’ category. The numbers of Learners with
Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (LLDD) increased from 12% in 2010 to 15% in 2011.

Data also shows that 27% of students receive the disadvantage uplift and, during 2011, there was
a decline in retention with this group (88% - 86%) and those who received EMA or ALG 91% -
90%.The publicity regarding the phasing out of the EMA scheme and uncertainty regarding the
new student bursaries presented challenges. Success rates as a College are a specific focus this
year and individual Curriculum Areas have assessed their data for any impact on specific group(s).
Curriculum Areas have formulated plans to tackle under-representation or any identified
achievement gap.

All Curriculum Areas have been working to reduce the impact for students of the removal of EMA –
making their curriculum, kits, and trips more accessible for all.

• Art and Design are focussing on support and monitoring of the 19+ learners.
• Sport are developing an emphasis on increasing female participation in sport, developing
mentors and role models for female sports students.
• Science and Maths are developing more workshops in College to support more disadvantaged
learners with resources and space to work and revise.
• Professional Studies are working to develop closer links with Study Support to provide more
targeted activities for LDD students.
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• Media and Performing Arts have integrated the diversity competition more organically and are
emphasising support for students who may be economically disadvantaged.
• ICT are developing support for students with English as an additional language ensuring that
there is more integration in the area. They continue to develop work to improve female
participation.
• Humanities have developed more stretch and challenge activities and questioning techniques
which will develop all learners. General Studies has also been modified into a short course to
reflect student requirements.
• Health and Education have had a campaign to encourage more male participation in the area.
• English and Modern Foreign Languages have continued to develop the range of community
language courses for students to access.
• The Adult College has tried to develop awareness of Equality and Diversity within the classroom
with all tutors.

Study Support once again continues to be a growth area, with a 28% rise in the number of
students with learning difficulties and disabilities. There is a marked increase in students with
health or mental health related issues and a consequent rise of 135% in observations of new
students with known difficulties at the start of the academic year.

An increasing number of students (53% of females and 47% of males), has accessed Study
Support on a daily basis. The number of students using the Base has increased by 165%, with an
average of 120 students per week supported in the Base and an average of 225 ‘hits’ (separate
visits) per week. There has also been a 31% increase in Care Plans and Awareness Plans for
students with health needs and disabilities, a rise of 59% in exam concessions and an 18 % rise in
specialist assessments in College.

Study Support Assistants are now considered a key part of teaching and learning and are
integrated in the Teaching and Learning Team. The increase in students with disabilities and
difficulties and the complexity of their needs has placed an emphasis on professional training. This
programme has been a priority, both within the professional development and in the Study Support
Team, with the added value of cascading skills amongst the staff, maintaining high standards and
ensuring consistency of approach to individual students. Observations of Study Support Assistants,
which are now part of the review process, have been the focus during the year, and it is intended
to extend the audit of provision, based on this, into the next academic year.

Spirals Database is now fully utilised and is an invaluable tool in tracking and monitoring student
need. Regular and effective administrative support has ensured that information is entered without
delay and reviewed by Head of Study Support and the MIS Manager in weekly meetings. This has
ensured that the Spirals Database is running efficiently and is able to provide accurate and up-to-
date information and reports.

In supporting students who may otherwise fail to succeed, Study Support has a significant impact
on retention and achievement. The main focus for the coming year is to work closely with
curriculum areas to investigate innovative ways of developing and further extending the scope of
Study Support provision, and to provide students with the very highest quality of support. It is
essential that there is more effective collaboration between subject tutors and study support tutors
to develop teaching and learning.

The Equality and Diversity Committee have focussed on the key requisites of the Single Equality
Scheme and Equality Act this year.

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To eliminate discrimination
The ethos of the College and its values are part of all College life. It is in this atmosphere of mutual
respect that the staff and students work.
The pilot Ofsted inspectors (September 2011) commented on the commitment of the College to
developing the students’ personal and social skills and the students’ behaviour in lessons and
around College. This was considered to be excellent.
Tutorial activities have encouraged discussion and dialogue regarding equality and diversity, and
have covered cyber bullying, disability awareness, Holocaust Memorial Day and hate crime. Staff
and students have followed activities encouraging a signpost system for help and support groups
locally and nationally. The tutorial activities are placed on Moodle for access through the year by
tutors and students.

To foster good relations between different individuals and groups
Collaborative events have been organised throughout the year where students have been able to
work in buddying other students or as student representatives or ambassadors. They have been
able to participate in sporting activities, drama and dance, the Catwalk show, and on fundraising
for local and National charities such as Pretty in Pink or Sport Relief. Competitions through tutor
groups, debates and challenges and student participation in local festivals such as Latchford,
Warrington Museum and Stockton Heath have enabled interaction between different groups and
the local community.

Promoting and Celebrating Diversity

A visual audit was started with new signage once the building contractors had moved off the site.
The campus development of the Priestley site continues to improve signage and accessibility. It is
an ongoing process to be continued throughout the year.
Posters are displayed throughout the College and many Curriculum Areas have designed their own
to promote role models, avoid stereotyping or encourage the elimination of harassment. There
were specific posters to publicise the Diversity Competition and World Fest throughout March.
These stress to staff, students and visitors that equality and diversity is being developed in the
College and beyond, through links to community groups and local charities.

Diversity Competition 2012

Art and Design
• A celebration of Multicultural exhibition based on an Olympic Games theme.

Health and Education
• The students produced a poem or a poster to reflect their thoughts on 'What does diversity mean
to you?' Examples are on display in the Crescent Building.

Science and Maths
• Solvay Global Impact Multimedia Competition: Students had to design a poster or other
image/video clip which shows the impact Solvay has globally.
• Charity Raffle to raise funds for Measles and Polio inoculations in Africa. Students and staff
buy raffle tickets to raise money.

English/MFL
• Liz Lochhead, Scotland’s Poet Laureate, visited College on 15 March - she writes dialect poetry
and students were encouraged to link to regional diversity.
 Languages - mini Olympics - July 2012.

ICT
• Created an advert to raise awareness of the London Disability Awareness Day, this was in the
form of a poster, leaflet, radio advert, or animation
• Created an advert promoting IT/Computing to female students in a non-stereotypical way.

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Humanities
• Essay and Creative Writing Competition.

Professional Studies
• Professional Studies in Poland Competition: All subjects/lessons within the curriculum area
covered a Polish theme, followed by the completion of a quiz tailored to subject areas. Law
students looked at the Polish legal system for the day. Public Services studied the provision
available in Poland. Business investigated the main businesses in Poland etc
• AS/A2 Business Diversity Debate: 'Should Businesses that promote diversity in the
workplace be awarded tax breaks?'

Sport
• Olympic Nations volleyball competition - a competition which produced the best poster design to
raise awareness of diversity issues in sport.

Performing Arts and Media
• Media/Film Studies - prizes awarded for the coursework portfolios which addressed issues of
diversity.

Adult
• Two courses entitled ‘Older and Bolder IT’ produced leaflets and a website providing information
“Festival Facts”.
• Worked with Warrington Museum to produce a timeline of personal, social, national and royal
memories for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
• Bi-lingual Story Bags using stories from other cultures as a basis for the sack (which was then
used in local schools or for the parents’ own children)

Diversity-related professional development activities are always a feature of professional
development events held in College. The focus this year has been to link workshops to teaching
and learning with sessions on specific learner needs, working with support staff etc and all staff are
participating in sessions to embed equality and diversity into schemes of work and lesson plans.
There has been a rolling programme of Bite size activities and sessions on the professional
development days.

These activities have been identified as part of the self assessment process and were supported
by the Ofsted pilot visit in September 2011.Ofsted recommended that tutors work to embed
equality and diversity seamlessly into lessons, and this was part of the College plan resulting from
self assessment.

Diversity Competition Prize Winners

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Community Involvement

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October 2011

Coaches keep tabs on disability awareness
Young sports coaches at Priestley were
given an insightful presentation on the
nature of disabled sport.
Jordan Raynes and Mike Smith from
Stockport County's Community programme
and Dawn Georgeson from the Cheshire FA
were on campus to prepare the students for
their own up and coming roles in the local
community.
Jordan who is the Captain of the Cerebral
Palsy England Football team had the students transfixed by his story, as he described overcoming
adversity and a certain level of discrimination to realise his dreams.
He has since gone onto represent his country at World and European Championships, Paralympic
games and will also be part of London 2012.
After listening to his talk, students were then able to run a short training session of their own,
based on a particular disability, in order that they are prepared for their placements.
Commenting on the workshop, Priestley Tutor, Danielle Toward, said: "It was a delight to welcome
our visitors in from Stockport County and the Cheshire Football Association. Jordan's story was
truly empowering and a source of inspiration for our students who are working towards a range of
coaching, fitness and leadership awards that run alongside our main academic programmes."

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November 2011

Priestley is tickled Pink
Big hearted students from Priestley
organised a jamboree of events and
activities on campus in support of Pretty in
Pink Day.
The students from Health and Education
united the College campus in order to raise
funds in support of Cancer Research UK.
In both the Crescent Building and the
Wicked Cafe, students sold cakes and toffee
apples and completed raffles and tombolas
as over £300 was raised.
The College has long supported Cancer
Research UK with the money raised from
previous events used to purchase new medical equipment at local hospitals.
On this occasion the fund raising drive again brought great rewards for the charity whilst it was also
a help for the students, who have to organise such an event as part of their studies.
Commenting on the day, Tutor, Rachel Walsh, said: "Pretty in Pink Day has become part of the
Priestley College fabric. Every year our learners from Health and Education go that extra mile to do
something for others."
Adding, "Once again the event was a hive of fun and activity, whilst many staff and students got
into the spirit of things by wearing something pink for the day."

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April 2012
Students show support for Cancer Research
STUDENTS from Priestley College have
donated £422 to Cancer Research UK.
Young people studying Health and Social
Care visited Liverpool Cancer Research UK
Centre to learn more about the work that is
being done.
During the visit they presented the Centre
with the cheque, which was raised through a
number of events held at the College on
Loushers Lane, Warrington. "It was a great
way to create that spirit of giving something
back to society and shows how caring and
supportive young people can be," said tutor
Lynda Bond. "We are really lucky to have this
research centre so the more people can do to
support it the better."

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