PolyMAT - The first Trust in London to be awarded Investors in Diversity Silver Award!

We are delighted to announce that PolyMAT has achieved the Investors in Diversity Award from the National Centre for Diversity. We look forward to building on this success in the future.

As the first Trust in London to be awarded Investors in Diversity Silver, this achievement recognises the value PolyMAT place on creating a truly inclusive culture where everyone feels celebrated and valued.

The Investors in Diversity Award for Schools is a framework designed to help schools to review their current FREDIE (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement) practices, in line with the latest Ofsted legislation. Diversity and inclusion is extremely important to our growth and development, and we will continue to promote this throughout our business.

PolyMAT’s final report demonstrated the value that students and staff placed in PolyMAT’s supportive environment: Staff members noted that leaders maintain open-door policies, ensuring accessibility for addressing any concerns or seeking guidance. They expressed feeling supported, knowing their voices would be heard, enabling them to provide feedback, suggestions, and seek assistance when necessary. Staff also described how positive leadership and management behaviours were – encouraging them to emulate them.

CEO of Polymat, Mr Tim Plumb comments,

“I take pride in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, as demonstrated by our recent achievement of the Investors in Diversity Silver award. Our dedication to celebrating diversity and fostering inclusivity within the trust is unwavering and we have worked exceptionally hard over the past few years to advance and promote EDI which has included a number of significant and vital changes to our operations.

Every member of staff within our trust has contributed to our journey by making our schools such warm, welcoming, and inclusive places to work and for our students to thrive and study. Our employees are our top priority and creating an inclusive work environment with a positive culture is essential to our people-focused strategy. A huge congratulations to everyone in our trust for all their hard work in helping us achieve this award. We are delighted to receive the Silver Award, and this will play a crucial role in shaping our long-term EDI plan, supporting us on this ongoing journey.”

Disability Confident Employer Scheme

PolyMAT is dedicated to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for both students and staff with disabilities. To ensure that our core values of inclusiveness and respect for community members with disabilities are upheld, we have joined the Disability Confident scheme.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to:

• ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
• communicating and promoting vacancies
• offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria
• for the job
• anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
• supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term
• health condition, enabling them to stay in work
• at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people