COMMUNITY RELATIONS, EQUALITY

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COMMUNITY RELATIONS,EQUALITY DIVERSITYIN
EDUCATION POLICY

• Awareness Raising
• for Boards of Governors

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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

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Outline of Session

• Introduction
• Context
• CRED Policy
• CRED Guidance
• Quality Indicator Framework
• Role of Board of Governors

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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

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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)

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Background to CRED Policy

• Review initiated by Minister June 2008
• Working Group Established (17 Reps)
• Working Group Report June 2009
• Education Committee Consulted Jan 2010
• Public Consultation commenced 6 September 2010

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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

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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

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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

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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

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CRED Policy Core Principles

• Child centred
• Responsive to the needs of children
• Encourages progression
• Participation
• Experiential learning
• Meaningful interaction between different groups

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Core Principles continued

• Differentiation
• Complementary
• Collaboration
• Improve outcomes for young people, society and
  the economy
• Dissemination of good practice

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CRED Policy Intended Recipients

• Primary Schools
• Post-Primary Schools
• Youth Settings
• Statutory nursery settings
• Other pre-school settings strongly encouraged
  to adopt CRED principles

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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

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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

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Context for Schools

• Key policy driver ESaGS, 2009
• School Development Planning regulations, 2011
  highlighting importance of ethos
• Collaboration between schools
• Whole school approach

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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

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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

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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

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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

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CRED Guidance
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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

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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

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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)

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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

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Key priorities for implementation

• Training and capacity building of workforce
• Dissemination of good practice and materials
• Targeted support for meaningful interaction

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Community Relations, Equality and Diversity in
Education

• http//www.deni.gov.uk/cred_policy_doc1.pdf

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Community Relations, Equality and Diversity in
Education

• CRED Website
• www.credni.org

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Community Relations, Equality and Diversity in
Education

• Reference to information for Boards of Governors
• http//www.deni.gov.uk/index/schools-and-infrastru
  cture-2/schools-management/79-school_governors_pg/
  schools_79_governor-roles-and-responsibilities_pg/
  schools_79_chapter-5-equality-good-relations_pg.ht
  m

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Workshop

• Discuss in small groups
• What are the implications of the CRED Policy for
  your role as Governor?