Respect at the RCM: Our ethos and values

Four students sat in a line facing the RCM's Blomfield building, with blue sky and green trees

‘Together through effective and collaborative action we create a culture which values diversity, and in which students, staff and visitors give due respect to other people and their work or ideas.’

RCM Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy

The Royal College of Music is a respectful space where individuals celebrate their differences and are considerate towards one another. We want every single student to feel that they belong in our community and can flourish in our learning environment.

We expect our students to be respectful to other students, to staff and visitors.

We also expect students to be respectful towards their studies and the many opportunities on offer here at the RCM. This means the following:

  • Attending all scheduled lessons
  • Being punctual
  • Committing to meeting deadlines
  • Committing to full participation in your studies, project work and rehearsals
  • Communicating any issues or difficulties in a timely manner so that we can offer support

There is lots of support available to our students via Student Services so do reach out if you need to. We are here to help you thrive.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Your role in promoting EDI

As part of our commitment to EDI, we require all students to complete an online course called ‘Consent Matters: Boundaries, Respect and Positive Intervention’. You can find this course on Learn.rcm.

We also require all new students to attend our ‘Respect at the RCM’ introductory talk during Induction Week.

Like many professional organisations, the College is committed to improving representation in classical music through the music we study, rehearse, perform and celebrate, and the artists we work with. We encourage you to explore repertoire by composers who have traditionally been under-represented in classical music. This might include music by female, black, ethnically diverse or disabled composers. An excellent starting point is the RCM database ‘Play Something New’ on Learn.rcm.

Reporting an incident

Incidents at the College are rare, but if you witness or experience bullying, discrimination, harassment, or microaggressions in any form, your voice will be heard and taken seriously.

You can report an incident:

  • By using our secure, confidential Report + Support platform. Reports can be made anonymously, however, in choosing to provide your name, we can then contact you to offer support and discuss options.
  • By contacting the Academic Registrar, Elly Taylor, to raise a formal complaint

Students in need of support or advice can contact Student Services or one of the College’s EDI and Wellbeing Ambassadors, who are listed in the downloadable PDF.

EDI and wellbeing ambassadors

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