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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
Schools contribution to
community cohesion
12
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/communit
ycohesion/