At Inspire Education Group, we are committed to providing an environment where every student can reach their full potential, regardless of their background.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
At Inspire Education Group, education is a powerful tool for creating positive social change. We are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
We champion equality of opportunity for all, irrespective of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief, age, or any other characteristic. Our 2024-2030 EDI strategic plan outlines championing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) to forge a truly inclusive organisation where everyone has equal opportunity to succeed.
AoC’s equity, diversity and inclusion charter – public statement by colleges
The UK is a multinational, multi-ethnic, and multi-faith society where our strengths and values are rooted in our culture. The further education sector reaches millions of students, staff and many communities in every town and city across the country and is uniquely placed to bring about transition and transformation in our society.
Colleges are centres where students belong.
This is our public statement of commitment to providing equity and creating an inclusive culture in which all our staff, learners and communities can thrive.
We recognise that:
• it is socially, morally and economically right to prepare our learners for life and work in a world that is diverse.
• equity and inclusion are fundamental if we are to make the most of our diversity.
• we will be judged by our actions and the impact of those actions.
We commit to:
• ensuring equity and inclusion are reflected in our curriculum.
• putting diversity and inclusion at the heart of our employment policies and practices.
• listening to, and reflecting on our obligations to, the communities we serve.
• encouraging those with whom we contract to support our commitments.
We will lead by example, tracking our impact by:
• setting organisational and individual objectives monitored by the board.
• identifying short- and medium-term success measures appropriate to our context.
• publicising progress and the difference we have made in our annual report.
Rachel Nicholls and David Pennell has made a commitment of support to adopt AoC’s equity, diversity and inclusion charter.
26 March 2025
Equal Opportunities
As an organisation we have developed a strategy to provide a structured and strategic approach to championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across the Group.
The strategy provides the organisation with a holistic approach to embedding EDI in all that we do, ensuring we are cultivating a thriving workforce, creating an excellent learner experience and empowering communities to thrive.
As part of our wider commitment to EDI we are committed to becoming a signatory of the AoC EDI Charter, pledging to create equitable and accessible educational experiences for all students.
The strategy will be supported by the work of the organisation’s EDI committee which provides an operational forum across the organisation alongside the work of our 5 special interest groups. Our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) represent 5 key areas of focus in regards to EDI to create positive, equitable, inclusive and accessible student and staff experiences.
The LGBTQ+ SIG’s central focus is to support both staff and students from the LGBTQ+ community within IEG. This group aims to promote strategies and actions that ensure the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community and provides education on LGBTQ+ matters.
The LGBTQ+ SIG also plays a crucial role in supporting IEG’s journey towards achieving the Rainbow Flag Award. To work in collaboration with the Gender SIG to further bolster trans inclusion and support gender reassignment and expression.
The Gender SIG will support the gendered experiences of students and staff across IEG. This includes actively working towards the ongoing agenda for tackling misogyny, sexual harassment, and violence in further education, alongside ensuring that all provisions we offer are gender-inclusive (Male, Female, and Non-Binary) for both staff and students, to promote an equal and safe experience for the IEG community.
The Ability Not Disability SIG will drive the implementation of inclusion strategies to enable the physical and online environment to be accessible to all students and staff.
The SIG will look to support strategies which will ensure equitable experiences to provide equal access for both staff and students to engage fully.
The Anti-Racism SIG will drive IEG’s further embedding of racial, cultural and religious diversity across the group. The network will support IEG’s anti-racism pledge to be an anti-racisit institution through the signing of the Anti-Racism Charter. The group will work to dismantle religious discrimination across the group’s institutions.
The Anti-Racism SIG, will drive the recognition and celebration of cultural diversity within IEG and the local community, alongside educating our student and staff.
The Vulnerable Students Network prioritises the support of students identified as vulnerable, including asylum seekers and refugees, in-care or care leavers, young carers, and young parents. This network seeks to provide comprehensive support throughout these students’ journeys within IEG.
Collaboration with the Disability Network is underway to ensure the inclusion of EHCP students and high-needs students. Additionally, this network collaborates with the Race, Religion and Culture Network to support the inclusion of asylum seekers and refugees.
EDI Policy
Our EDI Policy outlines our commitment to creating an inclusive environment, free from discrimination, where opportunities are accessible to all. It sets out our responsibilities, expectations, and the steps we take to ensure fairness and equity across our organisation.
We encourage all members of our community to familiarise themselves with our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy.
At IEG, we are proud to be part of the College of Sanctuary initiative, reflecting our commitment to creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for all.
This national movement envisions the UK as a place of safety and offer sanctuary, especially to those fleeing conflict, persecution or hardship in their own country. We are dedicated to supporting individuals seeking sanctuary, embracing diversity and fostering a culture of understanding, respect, and equality within our community.
We proudly endorse the City of Sanctuary charter and pledge to provide an environment where everyone feels valued, supported and empowered. Together, we are working to build a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
Kite Trust - Rainbow Flag
We proudly achieved the Rainbow Flag Award delivered by carefully selected LGBTQ+ youth organisations in collaboration with The Kite Trust.
Our Pledge
To create a positive and inclusive environment for all staff and students where everyone feels valued and respected
To create a climate where all forms of discriminatory and bullying behaviour is effectively challenged
To focus on positive LGBTQ+ inclusion and visibility
To go above and beyond to support refugees and those seeking asylum
To recognise people’s differences and celebrate diversity
To foster positive community relationships
To showcase excellence and celebrate a diverse and inclusive workforce
The campaign tackles the prevalence of prejudiced comments disguised as "banter," which creates a disempowering environment for students, staff and parents.
The rise of external social and political tensions (Brexit, Covid-19, Rwanda Bill, Trans inclusion debates) has coincided with an increase in online abuse and discriminatory language in wider society. This trend has unfortunately impacted educational settings within Peterborough and beyond. The "It's Not Banter" campaign aims to combat these issues by working collaboratively with schools and education institutions.
As part of the campaign we looked to provide resources to schools and education institutions to support having the difficult conversations, integrate inclusion to PSHE and lessons alongside so much more.
Our commitment is to go beyond legislation and to be recognised as a leader of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. We are proud to be a College of Sanctuary and achieve the Rainbow Flag award status. As part of our wider commitment to EDI we are committed to becoming a signatory of the AoC EDI Charter, pledging to create equitable and accessible educational experiences for all students.
We support employers to develop their people and their organisations. We strive to make a positive contribution to the prosperity and wellbeing of our diverse communities.
