Transcript Community Relations, Equality and Diversity

Awareness Raising
for Boards of Governors
Aims for the Session
 To raise awareness of the context,
rationale , aims and objectives and
outcomes of the CRED Policy
 To consider implications for Boards of
Governors for the implementation of
CRED Policy
Outline of Session
 Introduction
 Context
 CRED Policy
 CRED Guidance
 Quality Indicator Framework
 Role of Board of Governors
Rationale
 Evolution of Community Relations Policy
since 1980s
 Society in NI has become more diverse in
last few decades
 Sectarianism, racism and bullying are
examples of social problems, which still
need to be addressed in society
Context
 Programme for Government seeks to ‘build a fair and
prosperous society for all’
 NI Curricula (formal and informal) aims to develop in
young people, the knowledge and understanding of
the challenges and opportunities they may encounter
in an increasingly diverse society
 Teachers are able to address issues of Diversity
through Citizenship and PDMU (Personal
Development & MutualUnderstanding)
CRED Policy premised on:
 Equality & human rights
 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
 Commitments in Good Friday, St Andrews
& Hillsborough agreements
 Changes in society & policy context
CRED Policy Aims
 Contribute to improving relations between
communities by educating children & young
people to develop self respect, respect for
others, promote equality and work to
eliminate discrimination
 Provide formal and non-formal opportunities
to build relationships with those of different
backgrounds and traditions within resources
available
CRED Policy Objectives
 Develop understanding and respect for
rights, equality and diversity of all without
discrimination
 Value and respect difference and engage
positively with it
 Equip children/young people with required
skills attitudes and behaviours
CRED Policy Intended Outcomes
 Understand and respect rights, equality
and diversity (including linguistic
diversity) of all
 Develop skills, attitudes and behaviours to
value and respect difference and engage
positively with it
n.b. Based on set of core principles
CRED Policy Core Principles
 Child centred
 Responsive to the needs of children
 Encourages progression
 Participation
 Experiential learning
 Meaningful interaction between
different groups
Core Principles continued
 Differentiation
 Complementary
 Collaboration
 Improve outcomes for young people,
society and the economy
 Dissemination of good practice
CRED Policy Intended Recipients
 Primary Schools
 Post-Primary Schools
 Youth Settings
 Statutory nursery settings
 Other pre-school settings – “strongly
encouraged” to adopt CRED principles
CRED Policy
~ Key changes from CR Policy:
 Wider definition of Community Relations -
all Section 75 groups (not just two main
communities)
 Reflects changed environment
 Reflects changes to curricula
CRED Policy
~ Key changes from CR Policy:
Move away from dependency on
external organisations
Embed work within schools and
youth settings
Provide strong skills base for
educators
Within framework of existing policies
Context for Schools
 Key policy driver – ESaGS, 2009
 School Development Planning regulations,
2011 – highlighting importance of ethos
 Collaboration between schools
 Whole school approach
CRED in Education
Schools can promote CRED through:
 the ESaGS indicators:
 Child Centred Provision
 High Quality Learning and Teaching
 Effective Leadership
 A School Connected to its Local Community
 the Curriculum:
 requires schools to address issues around diversity & inclusion and to
consider how people from differing traditions can live together
 aims to empower young people to make informed, responsible
decisions
Community Relations, Equality &
Diversity in Education
Pre-School Curriculum
 Sits naturally in Personal, Social and
Emotional development
 Can be addressed within all other
Curricular Areas
Community Relations, Equality &
Diversity In Education
Primary Curriculum
 Sits naturally (from Foundation to KS2) in
“Personal Development and Mutual
Understanding”
 Can be addressed within all other
Curricular Areas
Community Relations, Equality &
Diversity In Education
Post Primary Curriculum
• Sits naturally in the areas of Local and
Global Citizenship and Learning for Life and
Work
• Can also be supported through all other
curricular areas
CRED: Why a Guidance Document?
 To line up the CRED policy with the curriculum
and related policies, including the school
improvement agenda
 To support the change of focus away from ‘old’
concept of Community Relations to include
Equality and Diversity
 To provide support for engagement in
unfamiliar and contentious work areas
CRED: Who is the Guidance for?
 Formal and Non Formal Education
(Schools and Youth Work settings)
 Management Committees, Advisory
Committees, Boards of Governors
 Strategic Managers – in Education
Authorities
 Operational Managers – Schools and Youth
 Delivery staff – teachers and youth workers
CRED Policy: Measuring Success
 A robust evaluation process is a key aspect of
the policy
 Quality Assurance Indicators are included in
Guidance
 External monitoring of attitudes (e.g. NI Life
and Times)
Community Relations, Equality & Diversity
In Education Policy Quality Indicators will:
 Evaluate the success of the implementation of the
policy
 Assist with the work of those who receive CRED
funding
 Assist ETI in their Quality Assurance
 Provide guidance to support funding applications
Key priorities for implementation
 Training and capacity building of
workforce
 Dissemination of good practice and
materials
 Targeted support for meaningful
interaction
http://www.deni.gov.uk/cred_policy_doc1.pdf
CRED Website
www.credni.org
Reference to information for Boards of Governors
http://www.deni.gov.uk/index/schools-andinfrastructure-2/schools-management/79school_governors_pg/schools_79_governor-rolesand-responsibilities_pg/schools_79_chapter-5equality-good-relations_pg.htm
Workshop
Discuss in small groups:
What are the implications of
the CRED Policy for your role as
Governor?