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Equity, diversity and inclusion

At the Association of Colleges we take equality, diversity and inclusion seriously. We are acutely aware of the inequalities within the further education sector, and the need for more urgent, concerted work to ensure an inclusive environment, better diversity and equality of opportunity is embedded throughout all we do.

Our ambition is for fairer society in line with our values in which everyone can succeed. This will only be achieved with a continued effort towards increasing the diversity of leadership and governance and the creation of an inclusive, open and diverse culture which supports students and staff and actively promoting fairness and respect across the sector.

We know that to best support students now and in the future, we need to reflect the communities we serve. While work has been undertaken in the past to address the underrepresentation of protected characteristic groups, there is a need for more urgent, concerted work to support and increase diverse leadership. This year we have committed to work on policies and practices that have a positive impact on all protected characteristics.

How we support members

We are acutely aware of the inequalities within the FE sector and the need for more urgent, concerted work to ensure an inclusive environment, better diversity and equality of opportunity is embedded throughout all we do.

We support members by identifying and sharing practice amongst practitioners from member colleges.
We challenge and support leaders to develop and implement strategies that impact on diversity and inclusion.
At a sector level we amplify the voices of practitioners through our relationship with the government and key sector organisations.

Our equity, diversity and inclusion strategy

AoC values equal opportunity, inclusion and is committed to promoting equal opportunities and embracing diversity across our working environment and in the delivery of our services to members, their staff and students.

AoC recognises its role within the further education sector, which serves and draws on the talents and skills of a diverse population. Therefore, we build equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) into all that we do. We celebrate, value and actively promote fairness, respect, equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to support leaders, practitioners and students to embed equality, diversity and inclusion throughout their college.

Our strategy AoC Sport Action Plan

Black FE Leadership Group and AoC partnership agreement

The Black Further Education Leadership Group (BFELG) and Association of Colleges (AoC) have a shared commitment to anti-racism in further education.

This partnership agreement details how the AoC, its subsidiary companies and the BFELG wish to work together in support of FE colleges in becoming anti-racist, within individual organisation and at a sector level. You can download the agreement below.

Read agreement

You can find out about the diversity and inclusion work at AoC Sport here.