Myerscough retains status as a Leader in Diversity

The ‘Investors in Diversity’ quality mark is awarded to establishments who strive to improve practices within their organisation. Myerscough College has held leaders’ status since 2017, and a fresh assessment will see that now extended until March, 2023. The process involved a review of the College’s Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, Engagement (FREDIE) policies, procedures and practices, as well as completion of surveys and a review.

The Investors in Diversity Award is recognised as much more than just a highly prized and prestigious quality mark. Those achieving the Investors in Diversity Award are enabled to take a structured and planned approach to embedding FREDIE at the heart of what they do.

Myerscough College has worked exceptionally hard over a number of years to advance and promote equality, diversity and inclusion both within college and the wider further education sector. Every member of staff has contributed to the Leaders in Diversity journey by making Myerscough a warm, friendly, inclusive and harmonious place to work, live and study.

Aneesah Khan, National HR Programmes Manager at the National Centre for Diversity, said: ‘’On behalf of the National Centre for Diversity I would like to congratulate Myerscough College, their staff and stakeholders on successfully retaining the Leaders in Diversity Award following your reassessment.

‘’Congratulations to everyone on your success to date and we look forward to continuing the good work in the future.’’

Siraz Natha, for the National Centre for Diversity, was Myerscough’s advisor during the reaccreditation process, and said: ‘’I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Myerscough College on its successful re-accreditation against Leaders in Diversity.

‘’As well as previously achieving the Leaders in Diversity award, the College is also a Disability Confident and Mindful employer. Myerscough College has three equality objectives: Develop a College-wide culture which actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion; ensure a positive inclusive student learning and social experience through equality of opportunity and celebration of diversity; and ensure an inclusive approach to the staff experience which promotes equality and diversity and provide a positive working environment.

‘’It has been great speaking with the team at Myerscough College, and special thanks to Lisa Hartley for always being on hand and for co-ordinating the interviews and focus group for the assessment days. It is clear to see that FREDIE is embedded into Myerscough College at all levels. It is great to see how well Myerscough College has been able to adapt to and overcome the challenges of the current pandemic whilst ensuring that its commitment to FREDIE is still front of mind.

‘’Whilst the organisation is doing really well in most areas, there is a recognition that there is still some work to do, with a willingness to learn and do more at all levels of the organisation and recommendations have been suggested to achieve this.’’

Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement are important issues, and are all about ensuring people are treated fairly and equally and no less favourably because of any specific need they might have. This includes areas such as race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age, amongst others. By promoting equality Myerscough removes discrimination in all of these areas.