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/