Diversity
We have been revisiting our vision and developing strategic plans for the coming few years, and we remain more convinced than ever of the need to form diverse leaders of Christlike character through theological education for mission.
The college’s first phase of our new strategic plan starts us on an ongoing journey to improving diversity in terms of ‘decolonising’ the curriculum, developing alternative forms of assessment to ensure that students with different learning needs are not disadvantaged, and creating a new pathway which will enable greater participation of students who face barriers to theological study.
We’ll also be making other changes internally and externally (such as adding a report and support procedures, developing in-house unconscious bias training and improving the physical accessibility of our site).
As we discover, learn and process more, we invite you to share your thoughts on this, and any related matters by emailing diversity@trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk.
We will be posting more information and resources here in due course so please do check back in. In the meantime, if you have any thoughts or concerns, please email diversity@trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk.
We’re committed to supporting students with a range of additional needs. At Trinity, a specialist practitioner, Mel Lucas, can advise and support students throughout their time here. For more information about Mel’s role, see below.
Specific learning difficulties (SpLDs)
Through our Study Support Tutor, we can provide in-house screening for learning difficulties, such as dyslexia and dyspraxia, prior to formal assessment. We also offer one-to-one support for learning strategies. Funds are available through the Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) for equipment and learning support.
Sensory disabilities
We’re able to offer tailored support for deaf students with help from Bristol Diocese’s Chaplain to the Deaf Community. Our Disability Advisor will help students with visual difficulties or other additional needs to gain the appropriate assessment of their needs.
Unseen disabilities and medical conditions
These include asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis and back conditions. Our Disability Advisor can help students access help they may be entitled to through the DSA and, where necessary, plan for alternative exam arrangements.
Mobility needs and wheelchair access
We’re committed to making what reasonable adjustments we can to our infrastructure and processes to help students with mobility difficulties to engage as fully as possible with life and learning at Trinity. There is a disabled parking bay at the front of our main building, Stoke House and we will work with you to enable you to access as much of the college as possible.
Disability Advisor and Specialist Study Support Tutor
Mel Lucas, MA, B.Ed. (hons), CEHIC, DipSpLD (Dyslexia), AMBDA
Mel is a qualified specialist teacher offering a variety of support for students with specific learning difficulties. She provides screening for dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mel is an Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA), and supports students with learning difficulties through individually tailored study skills tutorials. She has had a long career in language teaching; she has been an examiner for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and a teacher of deaf children. As Disability Advisor, Mel assists all students at Trinity with additional needs to access suitable support and, if appropriate, to apply for funding through Disabled Student Allowance (DSA). To contact Mel, email mel.lucas@trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk or call 0117 968 0206.
Information for Needs Assessors