Embedding EDI at London South East Colleges: creating opportunity through belonging

At London South East Colleges (LSEC), our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is woven into the fabric of everything we do.

We firmly believe that fostering an environment of belonging, where every student feels seen, heard, and valued, is crucial not only for individual success but also for the wellbeing of our entire community.

This belief has driven us to take concrete steps to address the pressing challenges faced by our communities, particularly those at risk of social exclusion.

Establishing our 10-year EDI grants programme in 2020 has been a key part of this work. It funds a range of student and staff-led initiatives to help tackle inequality, in innovative ways – including the Steps to Success initiative, which is detailed below. By 2030 we plan to have supported 50 more community projects like this – ensuring that our activity is sustained and remains impactful, and we continue to raise ambition and challenge stereotypes.

We are proud that our commitment to prioritising EDI in all parts of our organisation has been recognised externally; we are the only FE college featured in Investing in Ethnicity’s Top 25 Organisations, as assessed by the Ethnicity Maturity Matrix.

The AoC’s EDI Charter, of which we were early adopters, aligns precisely with our own mission. And we know that as a sector, a commitment to working towards a more equitable society is deep within our DNA.  

Our work at LSEC is guided by the principle that true equity goes beyond words and policies; it requires action, investment, and a relentless focus on providing opportunities for all. Through innovative programmes like Steps to Success, we are not only shaping the academic futures of our students but also contributing to a more just and equitable society.

Dr Sam Parrett CBE, Group Principal and Chief Executive London South East Colleges

In today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, engaging and supporting students at risk of social exclusion has never been more critical.

Here at London South East Colleges (LSEC), we looked to address this challenge with the Steps to Success programme (developed by Paula Perry, from You4Us), an initiative that targets students facing behavioural issues, poor attendance, and low self-esteem.

This groundbreaking programme, which has been funded as part of the College’s 10-year EDI grants programme, has demonstrated significant success in supporting our students to develop resilience, confidence and more positive mindsets – which we know will lead to better achievement, progression and ultimately career success.

The Steps to Success programme was created by Paula Perry of You4Us, an expert in student empowerment and leadership development. Reflecting on the programme’s impact, Paula shares:

“It has been an incredible experience working with London South East Colleges to implement the ‘Steps to Success’ programme. Together, we have witnessed first-hand the powerful transformations in our students, particularly in their confidence and mindset. LSEC’s dedication to supporting students at every step of their journey has made this programme a true success, and I am excited to see how it continues to grow and shape the lives of many more students in the future.”

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