EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY

MU-A Ltd. strives to be an inclusive organisation and is determined to provide equal opportunities to people of all genders, race, disability, sexuality, socio-economic background, faith and age.

 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to set out in detail how the MU-Academy intends to comply with the Equality Act 2010 along with outlining the company’s approach to inclusion. In our training school staff are committed to ensuring equality of education and opportunity for all learners, guests and staff alike. We endeavour to ensure that that fairness and equality is maintained for all who receive services from the school, irrespective of age; disability; learning difficulty; mental health; gender; gender identity; marital status; pregnancy; maternity; race; religion; spiritual belief and sexual orientation.

We will adhere to the legal definitions of these protected characteristics as set out by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) code of practice. We aim to develop a culture of inclusion and diversity, in which all those connected to MU-A feel proud of their identity and able to participate fully in school life. The achievement of students will be monitored by ethnicity, gender, age and disability and we will use this data to support students, raise standards and ensure inclusive teaching. We will tackle discrimination by the positive promotion of equality, challenging bullying and stereotypes and creating an environment which champions respect for all. We believe that diversity is a strength and a benefit, which should be respected and celebrated by all those who learn, teach and visit here.

TEACHING, LEARNING & SKILL-SHARING

We aim to provide all our learners with the skills and under pinning knowledge to reach the highest level of professional achievement. To do this, we will:

  • Use contextual data to improve the ways in which we provide support to individuals and groups of learners.

  • Monitor achievement data by ethnicity, gender and disability and action any gaps, including providing targeted support where appropriate.

  • Take account of the achievement of all learners when planning for future learning and setting challenging targets.

  • Ensure equality of access for all learners and prepare them for working in a diverse industry.

  • Use materials that reflect the diversity of the world and the industry without stereotyping.

  • Promote attitudes and values that will challenge racist, sexist, homophobic, bi- phobic, transphobic and other discriminatory behaviour or prejudice.

  • Provide opportunities for all learners to appreciate and celebrate the diversity of their own and other cultures.

  • Discuss or research various cultural communities; openly celebrating or raising awareness of any local, national or international cultural issues, where appropriate to the learning objectives of study topics.

EQUALITY AND THE LAW

Our training academy will ensure it does not unlawfully discriminate against its learners, prospective learners, visitors, models or staff in the performance of its duties, policies and practices. Discrimination means treating someone less or more favourably than a comparator.

Harassment, which is one form of discrimination, means violating someone’s dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them.

Victimisation means discrimination because of a previous complaint. We recognise that discrimination can occur in the following ways and will actively work to alleviate it:

  • Direct discrimination

  • Indirect discrimination

  • Harassment

  • Victimisation

COURSE CANDIDATE SELECTION

Each potential learner can request a copy of our candidate selection process, which follows a fair and transparent procedure. It is without discrimination, against any of the following factors;

  • Socio-economic circumstances.

  • Gender or gender identity

  • Race

  • Disability

  • Sexual orientation

  • Marital status

  • Maternity/pregnancy

  • Religious or spiritual beliefs

  • Age (Some courses require learners to have a minimum age - 16 or 18 years)

Candidates are selected on the basis of suitability for the training course they are applying to do. We take into account any previous skillset that is required or necessary qualifications to successfully carry out the learning tasks, when it is appropriate to do so. (E.g. Health & Safety Training).

If a candidate’s course application has been rejected or if they have been asked to leave the course/academy, a full written explanation will be given within 3 days of this occurrence.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Education Manager:

  1. It is the role of the education manager to implement the academy’s Equal Opportunities Policy, and they are supported by any other contracted teaching staff.

  2. It is the education managers role to ensure that all tutors or guest speakers are aware of the Equal Opportunities Policy and that teaching or any non-teaching staff apply these guidelines fairly in all situations.

  3. The education manager promotes the principal of equal opportunity when developing or approving all course work content. They will promote respect for others, and fairness of opportunities for all learners to participate in any learning tasks or work opportunities and work experience opportunities.

Other teaching staff/guest speakers:

  1. All MU-A staff will ensure that all learners (and members of staff) are treated fairly, equally and with respect, and will maintain awareness of the academy’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

  2. All staff will strive to provide material that promotes positivity and challenges prejudiced or negative/stereotypical images.

  3. All staff will challenge any incidents of bullying, prejudice, racism, sexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and record any serious incidents, drawing them to the attention of the education manager.

  4. Individual staff are personally responsible for their own acts of discrimination, harassment or victimisation carried out during their employment. The academy will ensure that all staff fully understand our commitments to equality and be made fully aware of their obligation to uphold the policies of the academy and their own responsibilities.

  5. Guest speakers will be made aware of our Equal Opportunities Policy, and asked to abide by its code of conduct.

If you have any questions regarding equal opportunities please email us at policy@mu-a.co.uk

This policy was last modified on 09/12/2021.