IMPORTANTMESSAGESThe mission of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) is to safeguard the public interest in sound standards of higher education qualifications and to inform and encourage continual improvement in the management of the quality of higher education. The QAA visit the College periodically to review how the College manages its higher education provision. The most recent review was in May 2014 where the QAA judged that the College meets UK expectations for standards, quality, information and enhancement.

If you wish to learn more about the UK Quality Code or the QAA please go to their website www.qaa.co.uk

Data Protection and ConfidentialityAs a College we will ensure your personal information is held securely within Data Protection Act 1998 legislation.

If you wish to speak to a member of staff regarding a private matter you can do this with your tutor, lecturer or any member of staff here at the College. However, if it is recognised as a problem that is affecting your well-being we would have to inform people who would be able to provide the correct support.

Safeguarding and child protectionIt is the College’s responsibility to safeguard staff and students. All members of staff have had safeguarding training and have full DBS (disclosure and barring service) checks. All staff wear Bridgwater College name badges which must be displayed at all times. Any visitors to the College must sign in and also display a red visitors badge. It is important that you report anything witnessed that you think is suspicious or should not be on College grounds. Please notify Reception as they will then be able to deal with it further, do not attempt to approach the person yourself.

Equality and diversityBridgwater College is committed to the promotion of equality and diversity. The College values and celebrates the diversity in its student cohort and workforce and believes the College will benefit from both employing people from all equality groups at all levels of responsibility, and working with students from all equality groups at all curriculum levels, over all areas of college activity.

The Equality and Diversity Policy is in place to demonstrate our commitment to equality of opportunity for all those working and studying at our College. This policy applies to staff, students, customers and suppliers. It applies to anyone who uses the College at any point in time. All users are to be treated equally, with dignity and respect and without being subjected to discrimination. The policy can be found in full on Blackboard under Information.

HIGHEREDUCATIONINFORMATION SHEETS

Issue 1 — Jan 2015 Contents correct at time of publication

Policies & Procedures The College has policies in place to protect you as well as guide you on certain topics. All the policies in relation to HE Students can be found on your HE Information Blackboard site under “Policies and Regulations”. There are specific Bridgwater College regulations as well as those of our University Partners. When you gain your Blackboard access you should make yourself aware with these policies, they contain useful information of what the College expects from you as Students but as well as outlining what support is put in place for you.

HEALTH AND SAFETYFire drillsWhen hearing a fire alarm it is important that you exit the building straight away and make your way to a designated fire assembly point. These are located outside of the College in the car parks. If you are a wheelchair user there are designated rooms on each floor for you to use.

First Aid In the event of a first aid situation you must report this to reception as they will be able to call one of the College’s First Aiders. Please do not call an ambulance before the First Aider has arrived unless a member of staff you are with feels the situation needs an emergency response. To call Bridgwater site’s reception dial: 01278 455464 and for Cannington, 01278 655105.

Health & Safety When at College it is important that you are safe and aware of your surroundings. If at any point you witness something hazardous or notice something that looks dangerous you should report it to your tutor or directly to the Estates Team. They are located in room D16 at the Bridgwater Centre or in Montgomery House at the Cannington Centre. Any concerns should be reported to Reception who can alert support teams.

HIGHER EDUCATION INFORMATION SHEETS