College Policies & Procedures

Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides a right of public access to information held by public authorities

‘Public authorities’ are defined in the Act and include Universities, Further Education College and Sixth Form Colleges.

What is a Publication Scheme?

This Publication Scheme is a guide to the information routinely published by Runshaw College. It describes the information about us and our activities that we make publicly available. We shall review the Scheme at regular intervals and monitor how it is operating.

It is important to us that this Scheme meets your needs and we have designed it to identify clearly routinely published information about Runshaw College.

We have adopted the Model Publication Scheme for Colleges of Further education as approved by the Information Commissioner’s Office which became effective from 1st January 2000.

The Publication Scheme consists of the following sections:

• Who we are and what we do
• What we spend and how we spend it
• What our priorities are and how we are doing
• How we make decisions
• Our policies and procedures
• Lists and registers
• The services we offer

How to Access Information

The Publication Scheme, available on our college website, provides a list of information routinely published by the College which the Information Commissioner’s Office, the independent body who oversees the Freedom of Information Act, expects us to make available unless:

• we do not hold the information
• the information is exempt under one of the Freedom of Information exemptions or Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) exceptions, or its release is prohibited under another statute
• the information is archived, out of date or otherwise inaccessible; or, it would be impractical or resource-intensive to prepare the material for routine release.

Many of the routinely published documents are available for free download from our website. Where hard copies are required, the College reserves the right to make a small charge to cover costs such as photocopying and postage. If it becomes evident that the cost of retrieving information is likely to be above £450, the College will notify the individual of the fees and ascertain whether they wish to proceed or consider refining their request. Requests for information which is not routinely available should be made in writing and, in general, the College will respond within 20 working days.

You can contact us by writing to:

Data Protection Officer
Runshaw College
Langdale Road
Leyland
Lancashire
PR25 3DQ

Email: dataprotectionofficer@runshaw.ac.uk

Further Information

General information on the Freedom of Information Act and the Model Publication Scheme can be obtained from:

The Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Email: casework@ico.org.uk

www.ico.org.uk

Data Protection Act 2018

Under the Data Protection Act 2018, you are also entitled to access any personal information held about you by the College. You can contact the Data Protection Officer, contact details which are provided above.

Admissions

Runshaw is a very popular and oversubscribed college. This admissions policy aims to meet the needs of as many young people as possible who wish to study at Runshaw. Click below to download our latest policy.

Transport

This policy outlines the provision and management of college-organised transport, including college bus services, college-organised taxis, and minibuses for student trips. The aim of this policy is to ensure that all transport organised by the college is safe, accessible, and compliant with relevant legal and safeguarding requirements. The college is committed to providing reliable transport options that support student attendance, enrichment activities, and educational trips.

Complaints

Our Complaints Policy can be downloaded below. The policy applies to complaints from any person who wishes to express dissatisfaction with any aspect of College activities (including raising concerns about malpractice).

Data Protection & Privacy

The College recognises the benefits and opportunities which IT offers in both the workplace in general as well as teaching and learning. We actively encourage the use of IT in order to enhance skills, promote achievement and improve productivity.

We believe that acceptable usage coupled with good online safety practice can be achieved through a combination of security access measures, training, guidance and good practice.

Effective online safety needs the participation and support of all users of IT facilities and in particular the College’s IT facilities. It is the responsibility of every user at college to be aware of this policy and to follow its guidance on the use of all such IT facilities.

The full policy is detailed in the document below.

The College’s commitment to advancing equality as an employer and education provider goes beyond legislative compliance to ensure that everyone is able to participate fully, irrespective of their background or personal characteristics.

Equality and diversity at Runshaw College is underpinned by our college Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy. This is reviewed regularly to reflect any changes that we want to make as a result of feedback from our learners, staff, visitors and contractors and to adhere to best practice.

We produce an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report which details the work that has been done around equality and diversity at Runshaw over the previous academic year.

We have a Strategic Plan which sets out our goals, including equality and diversity. These Strategic Goals align with the requirement of the Equality Act 2010 to set equality objectives. Our Goals are made real through a Strategic Plan Project Plan which shows the actions we are taking, how these are monitored and the impact they have on the advancement of equality of opportunity across the College.

If you have any queries relating to or about Equality and Diversity at Runshaw, please contact Tracey Croft – Croft.T@runshaw.ac.uk or by phone on 01772 622677.

Fees & Funding

Our funding bodies, as part of the Financial Memorandum with the College, require the Governing body to approve a Fees Policy annually.  The Fees Policy sets out the basis on which the College will charge learners or their sponsors for the provision of education and training.  The Policy is therefore available to learners, prospective learners, sponsors and stakeholders.  The Policy determines the framework within which College managers and marketing staff decide the fees that the College will charge for courses to individuals, groups of learners or sponsors, how such fees should be paid and circumstances under which fees may be refunded.  The Policy informs the College business planning process and informs staff involved in the recording of fees data within College information systems of how fees should be calculated, structured, recorded, collected and refunded.

Runshaw College recognises its responsibilities, as an ‘Employer’ under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and all other health and safety legislation and directives that affect the activities of the College, including the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the UK Data Protection Act 2018.

HR & Recruitment

The College aims to recruit the best person possible for each vacancy through effective recruitment and selection procedures. This will ensure that the College continues to deliver a high quality learning experience to all students.

Behaviour in College

Our Positive Behaviour Policy can be downloaded below.

Safeguarding & Wellbeing

Runshaw College holds as one of its highest priorities the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in activities that come under the responsibility of the College and has a duty to ensure that their staff fulfils their responsibility to prevent and report any abuse discovered or suspected.

Safeguarding means:

• Promoting health & well-being
• Ensuring safety
• Protecting from abuse and neglect
• Preventing bullying and harassment
• Offering the best life chances

There is a designated Safeguarding Team at the College with a senior manager who is responsible for any safeguarding matters affecting students.  We also have a Child and Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy, which explains how the College deals with any safeguarding concerns.

Runshaw College recognises that members of staff and learners have an important role to play in safeguarding the welfare of young people and preventing their abuse.  The college has written a comprehensive Safeguarding Policy to ensure that the welfare of the young person is always placed at the centre of its activities.

If you have any concerns about any issues outlined above or would like further information please contact:

Jane Pearson (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
Head of Safeguarding and Wellbeing
Telephone: 01772 622677
Email: pearson.j3@runshaw.ac.uk

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Policy

The function of Additional Learning Support (ALS) is to coordinate support for students who are covered by Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) legislation.  The college takes its legislative responsibilities very seriously and seeks to go beyond what is required by law, putting learners with SEND at the heart of our planning and delivery.  We are committed to offering an inclusive curriculum and supportive environment to ensure the best possible outcomes for learners with SEND.

The majority of students will have their individual needs met through high quality, differentiated and personalised teaching.  Some students will need educational provision that is additional to or different from this.  Support will therefore be provided to those who need it, in accordance with the legislation.

The College is committed to inclusion and achieves this by actively promoting the advancement of disability equality and taking steps to eliminate discrimination and harassment and victimisation, including discrimination on the grounds of learning difficulty and/or disability (SEND).  This policy responds to The Children and Families Act 2014, Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice 0-25 years (January 2015), and The Equality Act 2010.

College Values & Beliefs

We believe education changes lives, so we put teaching and learning and the needs of our students first.

Therefore the College is committed to:

1. Providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where difference is celebrated.
2. Ensuring you are given accurate information about your chosen course and are placed on a study programme that meets your individual needs.
3. Identifying your learning needs and providing support to enable to you settle into college quickly.
4. Developing positive working relationships with you that are built on a foundation of mutual respect.
5. Agreeing targets with you that are meaningful, challenging and support you in reaching your full potential.
6. Providing high quality teaching, learning and assessment to engage and motivate you.
7. Delivering impartial information, advice and guidance on career and personal goals.
8. Providing comprehensive, high quality support services that remove barriers to learning and develop positive attitudes and skills.
9. Listening to your views and taking action to further improve your college experience.
10. Providing a wide range of opportunities to develop your employability skills, interests and ambitions.

Our aim is to make sure you are happy, safe and successful. In order to achieve this aim, it is important that you work in partnership with us and meet our expectations.

This includes to:

1. Embrace the spirit of Runshaw Respect.
2. Attend all classes, exams, appointments, work experience / placements sessions and learning commitments punctually; report and account for any absence or lateness.
3. Tell us promptly about any additional help you may require so we can provide the best support for you.
4. Value everyone in our learning and wider community, treating them with courtesy and respect at all times.
5. Actively engage with all learning and support opportunities both in lessons, and outside of the classroom.
6. Meet the requirements of your study programme such as assessment deadlines, coming prepared to lessons and completing tasks set for personal directed study.
7. Complete all work to the best of your ability and use the feedback you are given to further improve and meet agreed targets.
8. Respect the college environment and act responsibly and safely at all times.
9. Take responsibility for your own learning, development and progression, participating fully in activities that support your future.
10. Participate fully in opportunities to share your views, providing constructive feedback to enable the College to continually improve your experience.

Sustainability

This policy outlines the commitment of Runshaw College in relation to its impacts on the environment and its responsibility to sustainability.

Copyright
All website design, text, graphics, the selection and arrangement thereof, and all software compilations, underlying source code, software (including viewlets) and all other material on this web site are copyright Runshaw College and its affiliates, or their content and technology providers. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Publications and various application forms may be downloaded solely for use by the individual as a means of applying to Runshaw College for a place on the programme. Permission is not granted to electronically reproduce and/or print any part of this website for use in another website or publication.

Trademarks
Runshaw College and and/or other Runshaw services referenced on this website are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Runshaw College . Other services and organisation names mentioned on this site may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Conditions Of Web site Use
This website was designed to provide information to inquirers, students, staff, and other individuals who may be interested in the services of Runshaw College and its affiliates.

No contract will subsist between you and Runshaw College for any product or service unless and until Runshaw College has accepted your request in writing.

Disclaimer
Runshaw College is providing this website and its contents on an “as is” basis and makes no (and expressly disclaims all) representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, with respect to this web site or the information, content, materials or products included in this site. Information on programmes of study are included in all student packs. In addition, Runshaw does not represent or warrant that the information accessible via this web site is accurate, complete or current. Tuition fees and academic regulations are subject to change without notice.

Except as specifically stated on this website, to the fullest extent permitted at law, neither Runshaw College nor any of its affiliates, governors, employees or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this website or the information, content, services, materials or products included on this site. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential damages, loss of data, income or profit, loss of or damage to property and claims of third parties. For the avoidance of doubt, Runshaw College does not limit its liability for death or personal injury to the extent only that it arises as a result of the negligence of Runshaw College , its affiliates, governors, employees or other representatives.

The College is committed to promoting equity, inclusion, and access to education for all learners, regardless of their financial circumstances. Recognising that some learners may face unexpected or ongoing financial hardship that threatens their ability to continue or succeed in their studies, the College has established a Hardship Fund. This fund aims to provide timely, appropriate financial assistance to support learners in overcoming financial barriers to education.

The Hardship Fund is administered by the Student Services team and is subject to annual review to ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment with institutional values and external guidance.