Policy Statement
Malvern House is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across all areas of student life. We aim to provide a learning environment that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive for students of all backgrounds and identities.
We are proud of the diversity of our student community and believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or victimisation of any kind.
This policy has been written in accordance with Malvern House’s obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and reflects the expectations of the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) with regard to student welfare, equal opportunities, and the promotion of a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Scope
This policy applies to:
- All students currently enrolled on programmes delivered by Malvern House.
- All applicants to Malvern House programmes, from the point of application through to enrolment.
- All staff, contractors, and visitors in so far as their conduct affects the student experience.
This policy covers all Malvern House activities, whether taking place on School premises, in off-site settings arranged by the School, or in online or blended learning environments.
Definitions
Equality means the legal and moral commitment to ensuring that no individual experiences disadvantage due to a protected characteristic or personal circumstance, and that equitable outcomes are pursued through proportionate and anticipatory action.
Diversity means the presence of difference within the student and staff body, spanning protected characteristics, socioeconomic background, international status, neurodiversity, lived experience, and cultural identity.
Inclusion means a culture in which differences are respected and valued, and in which systems, behaviours and attitudes actively support full engagement, representation and progression for all.
Equal Opportunities
Malvern House ensures equal access to education and services regardless of a student’s:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender identity or reassignment
- Marital or civil partnership status
- Pregnancy or maternity
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
This includes protection from discrimination by association (for example, caring for a disabled family member) or by perception (for example, being wrongly assumed to belong to a particular background or group).
Malvern House is committed to meeting its obligations under the Equality Act 2010. Whilst Malvern House is not itself a public authority, we recognise the principles of the Public Sector Equality Duty and are committed to having due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different groups within our student and staff community.
Forms of Prohibited Conduct
Harassment
Harassment is unwanted physical or verbal conduct which has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them.
This includes harassment by association or perception — for example, nationality-related insults directed at a person whose partner is of that nationality, or racial jokes directed at a person who is wrongly perceived to belong to a particular ethnic group.
Harassment can come from other students, staff, visitors or external contacts and can take place in any setting, including online environments and social media platforms.
Malvern House is committed to providing a learning environment that is free from harassment based on any protected characteristic. Harassment of any kind is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
Sexual harassment is a form of harassment involving unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, including but not limited to:
- Unwelcome sexual advances or comments
- Inappropriate or sexually suggestive language, jokes, or gestures
- Sexual touching without consent
- Sending or displaying sexually explicit messages or images, including via social media or digital platforms
Sexual misconduct is a broader term that includes any unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that occurs without consent or that breaches personal boundaries. It may or may not involve a criminal offence.
Any student who experiences or witnesses sexual harassment or sexual misconduct is encouraged to report it immediately to the School Principal or a member of the Student Services team. Reports will be treated with sensitivity and in confidence. Where a report raises safeguarding concerns, the School’s Safeguarding Policy will apply and the Designated Safeguarding Lead will be notified.
Victimisation
All students are entitled to raise legitimate complaints of discrimination or harassment, or to assist with an investigation into such a complaint raised by another student, without receiving less favourable treatment as a result. Less favourable treatment on this basis constitutes victimisation and will not be tolerated.
Less favourable treatment includes treatment that puts an individual at a disadvantage compared with others in a similar situation, whether intentionally or unintentionally. This includes denying opportunities, imposing additional burdens, or applying policies in a way that disproportionately disadvantages someone. Examples include:
- A student with a disability not being offered reasonable adjustments that others receive for similar needs.
- Applying an attendance policy more strictly to one group of students than to others without objective justification.
Reasonable Adjustments
Malvern House is committed to making reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, learning difficulties, mental health conditions, or other needs that may affect their ability to access learning or participate in School life on an equal basis.
Students who require reasonable adjustments are encouraged to inform the Student Services team as early as possible. Requests will be considered promptly, handled in confidence, and will not affect a student’s standing at the School. Reasonable adjustments may include but are not limited to:
- Modified assessment arrangements
- Additional time or support during examinations or coursework
- Accessible venues or alternative formats for materials
- Access to specialist support services
- Adjustments to timetabling or scheduling where practicable
Students who are dissatisfied with the response to a request for reasonable adjustments may raise a complaint under the School’s Complaints Policy.
Inclusive Behaviour and Language
Everyone within the Malvern House community is expected to:
- Be respectful of others’ identities, cultures and beliefs
- Challenge their own assumptions and remain open to difference
- Represent themselves and Malvern House positively, both in person and online
- Use inclusive language and behaviour in classes, group work and social activities
- Speak up or seek help when they witness behaviour that goes against this policy
Inclusive language means language — spoken, written or digital — that respects and accurately reflects people’s identities and experiences, avoids assumptions and bias, and does not exclude, stereotype or demean individuals or groups. Examples include:
- Using gender-neutral terms such as “students” or “they/them” where appropriate, rather than assuming gender
- Avoiding stereotypes, for example associating academic ability with nationality
- Using person-first or identity-affirming terminology when referring to disability or neurodiversity, in accordance with individual preference
- Ensuring written and spoken materials are accessible to an international student community, for example by avoiding idioms that may be unfamiliar or culturally specific
Diversity strengthens our learning community and helps all students thrive.
Learning, Development and Opportunities
Malvern House provides equal access to learning, support and progression opportunities. All students are encouraged and supported to achieve their potential regardless of background or identity.
We aim to:
- Remove barriers that disadvantage specific groups
- Encourage participation in extracurricular and wider School activities
- Ensure fair and transparent assessment and feedback processes
- Promote inclusive teaching practices across all programmes
All students receive EDI awareness as part of their induction programme at Malvern House. Staff receive regular EDI training to ensure that inclusive practice is embedded across teaching, support and administration.
Monitoring and Review
Malvern House is committed to ensuring this policy is operational and not merely a statement of intent. To that end:
- The School Principal will oversee the monitoring of EDI-related concerns, complaints, and outcomes on a termly basis.
- Anonymised data on complaints, reasonable adjustment requests, and relevant student outcomes will be reviewed annually to identify patterns, address disparities, and inform improvements to policy and practice.
- This policy will be formally reviewed annually by the School Principal and presented to the Board of Directors. It will be reviewed sooner in the event of a significant change in legislation, ISI guidance, or following a relevant complaint or incident.
- Any updates to this policy will be communicated to students and staff promptly.
Responsibilities
The School Principal and Senior Leadership will lead by example, take action to eliminate discriminatory behaviours and barriers, and ensure that EDI awareness is embedded across School life. They are responsible for ensuring this policy is implemented, monitored, and reviewed.
All teaching and support staff are expected to:
- Uphold EDI principles in teaching, support and guidance
- Take prompt action if discriminatory or harassing behaviour occurs
- Treat all students fairly and respectfully
- Encourage a sense of belonging for all students
- Report any concerns about discrimination or harassment to the School Principal
All students are expected to:
- Treat others with dignity and respect
- Avoid any behaviour that may be discriminatory, offensive, or exclusionary
- Cooperate with staff and peers in maintaining an inclusive environment
- Report any behaviour that goes against this policy using the appropriate channels
Complaints of Discrimination
Everyone is responsible for the promotion and advancement of this policy. Behaviour, actions or words that breach this policy will not be treated as acceptable and may constitute an act of discrimination.
Malvern House will treat all complaints of discrimination seriously and will take appropriate action in response.
If a student believes they have been discriminated against, they are encouraged to raise the matter as soon as possible. Complaints should be directed in the first instance to the School Principal or, where the complaint involves the School Principal, to the Board of Directors via the Student Services team.
Complaints will be handled in accordance with the School’s Complaints Policy. Students can expect their complaint to be acknowledged within 5 working days and to receive a written outcome within 20 working days of the complaint being formally accepted. Where the matter requires more complex investigation, the student will be kept informed of progress.
All complaints will be treated in confidence. Malvern House is committed to ensuring that any student who raises a complaint under this policy is protected from victimisation, harassment, or less favourable treatment as a result of doing so.
Where a complaint involves a member of staff, it will be referred to the School Principal (or, where appropriate, to the Board of Directors) and handled in accordance with the relevant HR and disciplinary procedures, in parallel with any student-facing process.
Where a complaint raises safeguarding concerns, the School’s Safeguarding Policy takes precedence and the Designated Safeguarding Lead will be informed immediately.