While it is vague what would constitute a 'significant reputational risk', in theory the Royal Conservatoire seems overall to strongly support the Equality Act 2010 and freedom of speech.
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland states that a post 16 education body “must aim” to “uphold (so far as the body considers reasonable) the academic freedom of all relevant persons.”
The Conservatoire also specifies that “academic freedom” means allowing relevant persons to “hold and express opinions, question and test established ideas or received wisdom, develop and advance new ideas or innovative proposals, and present controversial and unpopular points of view.”
As such, in answer to whether students should be allowed to express a deeply held pro-life conviction, the Conservatoire points to their Equality and Diversity Statement – namely that it “welcomes a diverse population of students and staff” and “equality of opportunity means striving to ensure that no student or member of staff receives less favourable treatments on the grounds of…. actual or perceived belief.”
However, the institution “may require to place conditions on certain speakers or events where it is believed that there is an evidence-based and serious risk that the speaker or event will break the law; will pose a significant risk to the wellbeing of students, staff or visitors and/ or will pose a significant reputational risk to the Conservatoire.” In response to whether an external pro-life speaker on campus should be allowed to speak, they state that the institution has “no procedure or policy to review external speakers, with the exception” of the above.
The Conservatoire also specifies that “academic freedom” means allowing relevant persons to “hold and express opinions, question and test established ideas or received wisdom, develop and advance new ideas or innovative proposals, and present controversial and unpopular points of view.”
As such, in answer to whether students should be allowed to express a deeply held pro-life conviction, the Conservatoire points to their Equality and Diversity Statement – namely that it “welcomes a diverse population of students and staff” and “equality of opportunity means striving to ensure that no student or member of staff receives less favourable treatments on the grounds of…. actual or perceived belief.”
However, the institution “may require to place conditions on certain speakers or events where it is believed that there is an evidence-based and serious risk that the speaker or event will break the law; will pose a significant risk to the wellbeing of students, staff or visitors and/ or will pose a significant reputational risk to the Conservatoire.” In response to whether an external pro-life speaker on campus should be allowed to speak, they state that the institution has “no procedure or policy to review external speakers, with the exception” of the above.