Duty to promote community cohesion. Why has the new duty for schools to promote community cohesion...
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Transcript of Duty to promote community cohesion. Why has the new duty for schools to promote community cohesion...
Duty to promote community cohesion
Why has the new duty for schools to promote community cohesion been introduced?
Background to the duty
• 2001 disturbances in Oldham, Burnley and Bradford
Cantle report concluded that people from different groups were not mixing and were living ‘parallel lives’
LGA/ODPM/Home Office/CRE/Interfaith Network produced guidance on community cohesion in 2002
DfES/Home Office/CRE produced community cohesion education standards for schools in 2004 www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/pdf/commcohesion.pdf
events of 7/7 2005 added new impetus to the community cohesion agenda, resulting in formation of the Commission on Integration & Cohesion (final report Our Shared Future published in 2007 www.integrationandcohesion.org.uk)
What does the law say about the new duty for schools to promote community cohesion?
Education and Inspections Act 2006, section 38(1)(5)
“The governing body of a maintained school shall, in discharging their functions relating to the conduct of the school
(a) promote the well-being of pupils at the school
(b) in the case of a school in England, promote
community cohesion.”
Came into force on 1st September 2007 From 1st September 2008, OFSTED will include
schools’ contributions to promoting community cohesion in their inspections
What is community cohesion?
The ‘community’ has a number of dimensions:
school community
community within which the school is located
UK community
global community
What is community cohesion?
Working towards a society in which:
there is a common vision and sense of belonging by all communities
the diversity of people’s backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and valued
similar life opportunities are available to all
strong and positive relationships exist and continue to be developed in the workplace, in schools and in the wider community
Links with the equalities agenda
race and faith are often seen as the most frequent friction points between communities, and the most visible sources of tension
However … schools should note that the focus of the
duty is much wider and includes different: - cultures - ethnic groups - religious or non-religious groups - socio-economic groups - the disabled - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender
communities - different age groups - different gender groups
Barriers to community cohesion
Fear and ignorance - mistrust of different groups, particularly those new to the local community
Stereotyping
Perceptions of preferential treatment
Lack of opportunity to interact
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Schools contribution to
community cohesion
Schools contribution to community cohesion
1. Teaching, learning and curriculum
1. Equity and excellence
1. Engagement and extended services
Teaching, learning and curriculum
helping pupils to understand others and value diversity
promoting shared values
promoting awareness of human rights, and applying and defending them
developing the skills of participation and responsible action (e.g. through the new ‘Identities and diversity: living together in the UK’ strand within secondary citizenship education)
Equity and excellence(inclusion by another name)
ensuring equal opportunities for all to succeed at the highest level possible
removing barriers to access and participation in learning and wider activities
eliminating variations in outcomes for different groups
Engagement and extended services providing reasonable means for children, young
people, their friends and families to interact with people from different backgrounds and build positive relations
links with different schools and communities
the provision of extended services with opportunities for pupils, families and the wider community to take part in activities and receive services which build positive interaction and achievement for all groups
What will schools need to do? consider how different aspects of their work
already support integration and community harmony
take stock of what has worked so far, for them and for other schools
consider where there may be scope to improve their existing work
Where can schools go for guidance around community cohesion?
DCSF guidance on the duty to promote community cohesion
May be downloaded from:
www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/communitycohesion/