Newcastle College’s annual Equality and Diversity Awards returned in April, celebrating its diverse community of staff and students, and the community it serves.

Held on-campus in the College’s Mandela Gallery, where shortlisted entries were proudly displayed, the event recognised students and colleagues for the projects, coursework and initiatives they had undertaken over the past year to champion diversity. 

Hosting the ceremony was Learner Services and Safeguarding Officer Neal Terry, who said: “Diversity is so important. It is our differences that makes us individual. The beauty of difference is that we see the value in diversity, and we learn from each other.” 

Awards were given out by Assistant Principal Catherine Orridge and Performing Arts student Poppy Orton performed her winning entry – a poem she penned about her experiences of growing up in care. 

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

  • Breaking Boundaries in Communities - Poppy Orton  (pictured, above)
  • Working Creatively in Communities - Life Skills HUB 
  • FE Students Coursework - Emma Sharpe 
  • Education in the Community - Tyler Miller 

Newcastle College is committed to ensuring that students, staff and stakeholders study and work in environments that embed the principles and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Across the College, specialist teams offer additional support to make sure education is accessible for everyone. The Support teams offer a range of support services including study support, financial advice and course advice. There are also dedicated Special Educational Needs and Development (SEND) and Care Leaver Support teams.