The document contains information from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) that periodically reviews the College's higher education provision. It also provides information about data protection and safeguarding policies to protect student privacy and welfare. Various health and safety policies are outlined, such as procedures for fire drills, first aid, and reporting hazardous conditions.

1. IMPORTANT
MESSAGES
The 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 Confidentiality
As 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 protection
It 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 diversity
Bridgwater 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.
HIGHER
EDUCATION
INFORMATION SHEETS
Issue 1 — Jan 2015 Contents correct at time of publication

2. 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 SAFETY
Fire drills
When 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