New Prevention of Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Duties and Academic Freedom & Freedom of Speech Duties 

It is important all BPP University students read this information and follow the actions set out below 

You may have recently heard that all universities and higher education providers in England have been asked by the national University regulator, the Office for Students (OfS) to look at the way they prevent and manage concerns relating to harassment and sexual misconduct.  

The OfS have also asked all universities and higher education providers to ensure we continue to promote and protect academic freedom & freedom of speech across university campuses and learning environments. This statement outlines how BPP University has responded to the requests from the OfS and what this means for our students.  

Our Approach to Preventing Harassment and Sexual Misconduct 

The University has always had a robust approach to the prevention and management of harassment and sexual misconduct, with effective policy, procedures, and support mechanisms in place for many years. In light of the OfS request to all universities however, we have developed some key enhancements to our approach to the prevention and management of concerns relating to Harassment and Sexual Misconduct. All these enhancements have been developed by subject-matter experts, are evidence-informed, and have been fully consulted with BPP University students who have had a leading input to their development and implementation: 

• Mandatory training for all BPP University students and degree apprentices in line with OfS requirements, supported by a suite of online information and support resources for University students and staff. All BPP University students and degree apprentices will receive instructions of this training which they must complete.  

• The Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Support Guide providing all students and staff with key information on the University’s approach to preventing and managing concerns of harassment and sexual misconduct. This provides key information on our policies, procedures, support services, and how to report concerns of harassment and sexual misconduct. This page is accessible across a range of easily accessible BPP online resources, such as through the BPP Hub, the About BPP University section of the BPP website, the University’s Policies and Procedures webpage, and the Students’ Association Student Welfare and Support Webpages. It can also be accessed directly here: https://www.bpp.com/bpp-university-harassment-and-sexual-misconduct-support. Please feel free to bookmark the link for future use.  

Our Approach to Protecting and Promoting Academic Freedom & Freedom of Speech 

The University has always focused on the promotion and protection of academic freedom and freedom of speech. Recently the OfS have asked universities and higher education providers to align their approaches to national guidance and legislation on freedom of speech, and the University has recently revised its policy and approach in this area. 

It is important that students understand, support, and are aware of the following principles: 

• The University has a legal duty to promote and protect academic freedom and freedom of speech exercised within the Law.  

• The University, its staff, and its students, must recognise the importance of freedom of speech and expression across all staff, students, and visitors, within the Law, even where the ideas and views expressed may be unpopular, controversial, and contested.  

• Where university members have concerns that the views expressed under the auspices of academic freedom or freedom of speech are harassment, it is always important that these are raised through the procedures set out in the Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech policy.  

• Where assessment under that policy considers that the expressions are indeed harassment, then recourse to the Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy and its procedures in relation to harassment will be taken.  

• Concerns where alleged expressions of freedom of speech or academic freedom may be considered harassment are where they promote or support hatred or violence towards a section of society, particularly those that share a protected characteristic. This definition is not however exhaustive, so advice should always be sought using the support avenues outlined in this guide. 

This work is more than a compliance measure. This work has been a key part of our continued commitment to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment across BPP University, and aligns strongly with our values. 

What this means for you? 

• Complete the mandatory BPP University Harassment and Sexual Misconduct training available on your hub. 

• Read and understand the BPP University Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy 

• Familiarise yourself with the BPP University Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Support Guide 

If you have any questions or would like further information about the module or the support process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at wellbeing@bpp.com.  

Thank you for your continued support in making BPP University a safe and inclusive place for all. 

Associate Professor Dr Alexander I. Griffiths 

Director of Academic Governance & University Proctor 

and 

Hajra Babariya 

Director of Education Services