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Equality & Diversity
Supporting excellence through diversity
SAC is committed to creating and sustaining a positive teaching and learning experience for our students, where everyone is equally valued and respected, and students are encouraged to thrive academically. As a provider of education, we value the diversity of our students and are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning environment.
Equality and diversity are essential factors that contribute to the academic and economic strengths of the organisation.
To this end, SAC acknowledges the following basic rights for all students and prospective students:
- to be treated with respect and dignity;
- to be treated fairly with regard to all procedures, assessments and choices;
- to receive encouragement to reach their full potential.
What do we mean by equality and diversity?
Equal opportunities, or equality of opportunity, may be defined as ensuring that everyone is entitled to freedom from discrimination. There are two main types of equality encompassed in equal opportunities:
- Equality of treatment is concerned with treating everyone the same. Thus, in an organisational context it recognises that institutional discrimination may exist in the form of unfair procedures and practices that favour those with some personal attributes, over others without them. The task of equal opportunities is therefore concerned with the elimination of these barriers.
- Equality of outcome focuses on policies that either have an equal impact on different groups or intend the same outcomes for different groups.
Diversity describes the range of visible and non-visible differences that exist between people. Managing diversity harnesses these differences to create a productive environment in which everybody feels valued, where talents are fully utilised and in which organisational goals are met. (Kandola and Fullerton 1998).
What does this cover?
There are a range of strands which come under the banner of equal opportunities. Equality strands refer to age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, and sexual orientation. Equal opportunities is something for all, to this end we are keen to ensure that people with caring responsibilities along with transgender and transsexual people are not prevented from learning and professional development as a result of personal characteristics or personal circumstances.
SAC strives to ensure that artificial barriers do not prevent progression.
Please use the links on the left hand side of each page to find your way around the website.
FAQs
- Provides a list of frequently asked questions together with a summary of key legislation that relates to equality and diversity.
Diversity Calendar
- The calendar is a practical resource for all staff/students which includes details of all the main religious and secular dates.
E&D Monitoring
- Equality & Diversity monitoring is critical for the successful implementation of an institution's Equality and Diversity policy and action plans.
Getting Involved
There are many levels at which you can help to build a diverse and supportive community at SAC:
Get your views heard
- Visit the education office to find out what events are being organised and which issues are being raised, and join in.
Use the resources
- Use and review the information contained on these webpages;
- Let the senior tutors know of any resources you have found useful that can be added;
- Let us know about any local events or organisations that are promoting diversity, and also let us know if you have trouble linking to resources that are no longer valid.
Guidance Documents
SAC has developed a number of key policies and guidance documents in order to ensure that equality and diversity issues become embedded into every aspect of activity and that we are compliant with legislation.
Keeping You Informed
Briefings and Updates
- Briefings notes are available to give you up-to-date information about what SAC is doing to be proactive about equality and diversity.
External Sources of Support
There are a number of contacts who can be of assistance to you should you require specific information, guidance or support.
Cultural Diversity
Cultural diversity means many things to many people because Culture incorporates everything from arts, food, fashion and music to religion and language.
E&D Forums
- A major part of taking forward the equality and diversity agenda is involving people who are affected by the way we work; the services we provide; and our role as an HEI.