Bradfordschools.net e-portal - Community Cohesion and Race Equality

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From 2007 all schools have a duty to promote community cohesion; OFSTED will inspect the provision of this in schools from September 2008.

‘By community cohesion, we mean working towards a society in which there is a common vision and sense of belonging by all communities; a society in which the diversity of people’s backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and valued; a society in which similar life opportunities are available to all; and a society in which strong and positive relationships exist and continue to be developed in the workplace, in schools and in the wider community’ (CCESfS p 3; DCFS)

The Community Cohesion Standards are framed by four strategic aims and related objectives. The Standards aim to:

n 5.I. Close the attainment and achievement gap

n 5.2. Develop common values of citizenship based on dialogue, mutual respect and acceptance of diversity

n 5.3. Contribute to building good community relations and challenge all types of discrimination and in equality

n 5.4 Remove the barriers to access, participation, progression, attainment and achievement

What are schools expected to do?

‘…….. we passionately believe that it is the duty of all schools to address issues of how we live together and to deal with issues of difference, however controversial and difficult they might sometime seem’

(Diversity and Citizenship Curriculum Review 2007)

Broadly, schools’ contributions to community cohesion can be grouped under the three following headings:

nTeaching, learning and curriculum – helping children and young people to learn to understand others, to value diversity whilst also promoting shared values, to promote awareness of human rights and to apply and defend them, and to develop the skills of participation and responsible action – for example through the new ‘Identity and Diversity: living together in the UK’ strand within citizenship education.

Equity and excellence – to ensure equal opportunities for all to succeed at the highest level possible, striving to remove barriers to access and participation in learning and wider activities and working to eliminate variations in outcomes for different groups.

Engagement and extended services – to provide reasonable means for children, young people, their friends and families to interact with people from different backgrounds and build positive relations: including links with different schools and communities and the provision of extended service with opportunities for pupils, families and the wider community to take part in activities and receive

( Guidance on the duty to promote community cohesion DCFS)

To download the standards go to:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/cohesioneducationstandards

To download guidance on the standards go to:

http://www.culturaldiversity.org.uk/docs/38.pdf

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Termly analyses of reported racist incidents are available by clicking on the download box on the left hand side of this page.

To view a list of resources and web sites which are useful in helping to promote Race Equality and Community Cohesion please click here.