Footnote Education Logo; navy blue letters against a white background

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy

Policy Owner: Joshua Lynbeck
Approved By: Charlotte Lynbeck
Effective Date: 01/05/2026
Review Date: 01/05/2027

Applies To: All staff, tutors, contractors, volunteers, students, parents/carers, and third-party providers.

1. Policy Statement

Footnote Education is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of its work. We aim to create a learning and working environment in which all students, tutors, staff, contractors and stakeholders are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

We recognise that diversity enriches education and strengthens learning outcomes. We are committed to eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation and to promoting equality of opportunity for all.

As an online tuition provider, we seek to ensure that our services are accessible, inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of students and tutors across the United Kingdom.

This policy applies to:

  • All employees, contractors and freelance tutors; 

  • Students and parents/carers; 

  • Applicants for employment or tuition services; 

  • Third parties acting on behalf of the company. 

2. Legal Framework

This policy is informed by and operates in accordance with the following legislation and guidance:

  • The Equality Act 2010; 

  • The Human Rights Act 1998; 

  • The Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR; 

  • The Children Act 1989 and 2004; 

  • The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006; 

  • The Education Act 2011; 

  • Guidance issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). 

The Equality Act 2010 protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of the following protected characteristics:

  • Age; 

  • Disability; 

  • Gender reassignment; 

  • Marriage and civil partnership; 

  • Pregnancy and maternity; 

  • Race; 

  • Religion or belief; 

  • Sex; 

  • Sexual orientation. 

The company recognises its responsibilities both as an employer and as a provider of educational services. 

3. Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Promote equality of opportunity; 

  • Foster an inclusive and respectful culture; 

  • Prevent unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation; 

  • Ensure fair treatment in recruitment, tuition provision and professional engagement; 

  • Support accessibility and reasonable adjustments; 

  • Encourage respect for different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives; 

  • Provide clear procedures for reporting and addressing concerns. 

4. Scope

This policy applies to all aspects of the company’s operations, including:

  • Tutor recruitment and engagement; 

  • Student admissions and allocation; 

  • Delivery of tuition services; 

  • Online communication and conduct; 

  • Training and professional development; 

  • Complaints handling; 

  • Marketing and promotional activities; 

  • Partnerships and subcontracting arrangements. 

The policy applies equally to conduct occurring:

  • During online lessons; 

  • Via email, messaging platforms or virtual learning environments; 

  • During meetings, training sessions and events; 

  • On social media where conduct impacts the company or its community. 

5. Definitions

5.1 Equality

Equality means ensuring that individuals are treated fairly and provided with equal access to opportunities and resources, while recognising that different people may require different forms of support.

5.2 Diversity

Diversity refers to recognising, respecting and valuing differences between individuals, including visible and non-visible differences.

5.3 Inclusion

Inclusion means creating an environment where all individuals feel welcomed, respected, supported and able to participate fully.

5.4 Discrimination

Discrimination occurs when a person is treated unfairly because of a protected characteristic. Under the Equality Act 2010, unlawful discrimination includes:

  • Direct discrimination; 

  • Indirect discrimination; 

  • Harassment; 

  • Victimisation; 

  • Failure to make reasonable adjustments for disabled persons. 

6. Our Commitments

Footnote Education will:

  • Treat all individuals with dignity and respect; 

  • Provide services fairly and without unlawful discrimination; 

  • Promote equal opportunities in recruitment and tutor engagement; 

  • Make reasonable adjustments for disabled students, tutors and staff; 

  • Use inclusive language and communication practices; 

  • Challenge discriminatory behaviour where it occurs; 

  • Encourage a culture of mutual respect and professionalism; 

  • Ensure complaints are taken seriously and handled fairly; 

  • Review policies and practices regularly to identify barriers to inclusion. 

We are committed to ensuring that no individual is disadvantaged because of socio-economic background, accent, caring responsibilities, educational background or other characteristics not protected by law but relevant to fairness and inclusion.

7. Recruitment and Tutor Engagement

The company is committed to fair and transparent recruitment practices.

We will:

  • Recruit on the basis of merit, qualifications, experience and suitability; 

  • Avoid discriminatory wording or practices in advertising; 

  • Apply consistent recruitment procedures; 

  • Provide equal access to opportunities for professional development; 

  • Make reasonable adjustments during recruitment and onboarding processes where required. 

No applicant, employee or tutor will receive less favourable treatment because of a protected characteristic. 

8. Students and Tuition Services

The company will ensure that all students are treated fairly and respectfully regardless of background or protected characteristic.

We will:

  • Provide equal access to tuition services where reasonably practicable; 

  • Consider reasonable adjustments for disabled students; 

  • Promote inclusive teaching approaches; 

  • Respect students’ cultural, religious and personal identities; 

  • Take steps to ensure online learning environments remain safe and respectful. 

Tutors are expected to:

  • Treat all students fairly and professionally; 

  • Use inclusive teaching materials and language; 

  • Avoid stereotyping or discriminatory assumptions; 

  • Respect confidentiality and privacy; 

  • Report safeguarding or discrimination concerns appropriately. 

9. Reasonable Adjustments

The company recognises its duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled individuals.

Reasonable adjustments may include:

  • Adapted teaching materials; 

  • Flexible scheduling where practicable; 

  • Adjustments to communication methods; 

  • Use of assistive technologies; 

  • Additional lesson support arrangements. 

Requests for adjustments will be considered sensitively and on a case-by-case basis.

10. Harassment, Bullying and Victimisation

The company has zero tolerance for harassment, bullying or victimisation.

Prohibited conduct includes:

  • Offensive, abusive or degrading language; 

  • Discriminatory jokes or comments; 

  • Intimidation or exclusion; 

  • Online harassment or inappropriate digital conduct; 

  • Retaliation against individuals who raise concerns. 

Any such behaviour may result in disciplinary action, suspension of services or termination of contracts.

11. Online Conduct and Digital Inclusion

As an online tuition provider, the company recognises the importance of respectful and inclusive digital interactions.

All tutors, staff and students must:

  • Communicate respectfully in online lessons and messages; 

  • Maintain professional standards online; 

  • Avoid discriminatory or offensive content; 

  • Respect privacy and confidentiality; 

  • Use company platforms appropriately. 

The company will take reasonable steps to ensure digital accessibility where practicable.

12. Reporting Concerns

Any individual who experiences or witnesses discrimination, harassment or exclusion is encouraged to report the matter promptly.

Concerns may be reported to:

  • A designated safeguarding or compliance lead; 

  • Senior management; 

  • The company’s complaints process. 

Reports will be handled:

  • Confidentially where possible; 

  • Promptly and fairly; 

  • Without victimisation of the complainant. 

Appropriate action will be taken following investigation.

13. Responsibilities

13.1. Directors and Management

Management are responsible for:

  • Implementing and reviewing this policy; 

  • Promoting an inclusive culture; 

  • Addressing complaints appropriately; 

  • Ensuring compliance with legal obligations. 

13.2. Tutors and Staff

Tutors and staff are responsible for:

  • Complying with this policy; 

  • Treating others respectfully; 

  • Challenging discriminatory behaviour appropriately; 

  • Participating in relevant training. 

13.3 Students and Parents/Carers

Students and parents/carers are expected to:

  • Treat tutors and staff respectfully; 

  • Avoid discriminatory or abusive behaviour; 

  • Follow the company’s behavioural expectations. 

14. Training and Monitoring

The company may provide equality, diversity and safeguarding training to tutors and staff where appropriate.

We will monitor our practices periodically to:

  • Assess inclusivity; 

  • Identify barriers to participation; 

  • Improve accessibility and fairness; 

  • Ensure continued legal compliance. 

15. Data Protection and Confidentiality

Information relating to equality, diversity or disability will be handled in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR.

Sensitive personal information will only be collected where necessary and will be processed confidentially and lawfully.

16. Breaches of the Policy

Breaches of this policy may result in:

  • Informal resolution measures; 

  • Formal warnings; 

  • Removal from tutoring assignments; 

  • Termination of employment or contractual arrangements; 

  • Suspension or termination of tuition services where appropriate. 

Serious matters may also be referred to relevant external authorities where required.

17. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner where there are:

  • Changes in legislation; 

  • Changes to company operations; 

  • Relevant complaints or incidents; 

  • Updated regulatory guidance. 

Policy Approval

Name: Charlotte Lynbeck

Role: Co-Founder & Business Manager

Signature: CED Lynbeck 

Date: 01/05/2026