Access and Participation

Our Vision

Our vision is to empower students with the skills and knowledge they need to pursue successful careers and enhance their life opportunities. We are dedicated to fostering a student-centred culture and establishing a reputation as a premier provider of exceptional further and higher education. Our overarching goal, as outlined in our Access and Participation Statement, is to strengthen our commitment to improving student outcomes by identifying areas of success to build upon and addressing any disparities in access, success, and progression data to ensure equal opportunities for all our students.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to create an inclusive environment that supports and empowers individuals and groups with diverse backgrounds. As an education provider, we are committed to tailoring our support services to meet the specific needs of our students pursuing further and higher education. Our goal is to promote and facilitate progression at all levels by developing and delivering top-quality, career-relevant programs that encourage participation and meet external demand.

Access and participation

We are dedicated to upholding the Equality Act 2010 and promoting equal opportunities and positive relationships in our community. We also understand the importance of demonstrating fairness as outlined in the UK Quality Code.

Our institution serves a diverse community, including individuals from various racial and linguistic backgrounds, and our staff reflects this diversity. Our organizational structure, policies, and practices are designed to align with the needs of the community we serve. We acknowledge the historical discrimination faced by vulnerable groups, including individuals with learning disabilities, and are committed to addressing and rectifying such injustices. Compliance with our Equal Opportunities procedure is mandatory for all staff.
We have developed guidelines for student engagement, information, advice, and guidance, as well as policies on equality and diversity, disability, and transgender equality. Our student welfare services are available to support students facing challenges such as coursework difficulties, settling-in issues, homesickness, bullying, financial hardships, health concerns, family problems, and any form of abuse. Our institution is dedicated to providing comprehensive and confidential services to our students.
We are committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for all students and offering appropriate guidance on progression and employment opportunities. We offer various services for current and prospective students and can address a wide range of issues related to individual student needs and requirements, including:

– Providing unbiased course guidance
– Offering financial advice and information
– Collaborating with external agencies on behalf of students
– Providing general employment advice and support

Admissions and Inductions

The College’s recruitment to higher education (HE) programs is supported by various activities aimed at widening participation:

– Qualifications awarded to students meet sector-recognized standards at the time of qualification.
– All students receive the necessary support from admission to completion to succeed in and benefit from higher education.
– The programs are designed for flexible delivery, allowing working individuals to attend part-time, for example, one day per week. Full-time delivery is organized to minimize the need for students to attend on multiple days, allowing them to continue working and maintain an income.
– The College aims to offer different access pathways to higher education to support individuals returning to education who require knowledge and skills for studying at a higher level.
– Induction sessions are available throughout the year, providing applicants with the opportunity to visit the College before enrolling and discuss any concerns or support needs. This also allows applicants to experience the welcoming environment and small class sizes.

Student Support

The College offers a comprehensive student welfare service. Prospective students can access support to ensure that student resources are managed and evaluated at a strategic level. The College aims to provide fair student support, especially by offering appropriate academic support and guidance for disabled students, facilitating their access to information and communications technology, and ensuring full access to student support services. Additionally, the College ensures that the student body can benefit from representation and express their views through the Student Committee. The College engages appropriately with the student body regarding significant changes in policy or academic direction and ensures the collective student voice is heard across the College. Students receive information about quality assurance and have the opportunity to discuss this with their peers and staff. They are also involved as participants on formal boards and committees, including the Board of Governance. Student surveys and other mechanisms are used to obtain feedback systematically, and student engagement is reviewed in both quantitative and qualitative terms and reported in appropriate committees and the annual report.

Review of this statement

We review our Access and Participation statement annually as part of our policy review. As required by condition A2 of the Office for Students Regulatory Framework, we will update and republish this policy annually.

Version Control Document

Version	1.0
Approved By	Board of Governors
Approval Date	01/05/2024