The success of New College Lanarkshire (NCL) is founded upon the relationships that exist among our staff, our students, our stakeholders and our communities. For that reason, NCL puts equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) at the centre of what we do.
We believe that our College sites are places that belong to all people and it is our absolute commitment to make New College Lanarkshire a place where everyone is welcomed, appreciated and valued. Only by fulfilling our pledges on EDI can we credibly deliver on our ambition to support all people to fulfil their potential.
We commit to ensuring that equality, diversity and inclusion is central to the rhythm of each day at NCL. We do so because we recognise that this facilitates the removal of barriers to education and helps people to find and release their brilliance. By embracing EDI we enrich all our experiences, grow a more sustainable community and create a place of social justice and value.
Our mission remains one of Bringing Education Closer to everyone and our purpose is to advocate for social justice, to offer education which meets the needs of our students and delivers positive change in their lives.
We do all that in a safe and secure space where our values include pledges to be just, kind and respectful.
In the past year New College Lanarkshire has launched its Undergraduate School and digital campus – The Learning Well – in partnership with the University of the West of Scotland. These two projects have provided the opportunity for hundreds of students in Lanarkshire, many of whom would otherwise have been excluded from Higher Education, the opportunity to secure a degree and the prosperity and fulfilment that brings.
We continue to work in partnership with stakeholders to deliver national equality outcomes which maximise access to learning for every student regardless of socio-economic status, ethnicity, religion or sexuality. We work to ensure other barriers such as poor health are no impediment to fulfilling potential through education.
Our NCL Foundation continues to provide 3500 breakfasts every month – no questions asked - for our students to create an environment where food inequality is not an insurmountable obstacle to learning. And our draft Strategy 2030 plans include using social enterprise opportunities to grow exponentially the support offered to our students and communities through the Foundation in the coming five years.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is something we at New College Lanarkshire are immensely proud of because we understand that, by releasing the brilliance of EVERY student, we can – we will - make a better world.
Professor Christopher Moore
Principal, New College Lanarkshire
