Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Report for Information

1) Purpose of Report: Community Cohesion

1.1. This report provides an update on the progress of the project at the end of its second year and details of the proposal for the continuation of the project to 2011.

2) Contextual Issues:

2.1 The project has enabled the construction of a strategy for addressing social cohesion in relation to community diversity and conditions for effective learning of pupils in schools. This project supports the following Hampshire County Council priorities: "Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - by encouraging better and more informed relations between communities and institutions" Maximising well-being" - by addressing common purpose amongst communities in Hampshire and its children "Enhancing our quality of place" - through providing support for the positive recognition of minority communities and religious groups.

3) Overview of the project

3.1 The project's focus was seeking to identify best practice in Hampshire schools to promote community cohesion. The activities in which schools have become involved with the project were funded until summer 2009 from Hampshire local authority by providing support from the two RE inspectors through the advisory and inspection service. Funding was also made available under the community cohesion brief, through the support of David Bond and the Hampshire Archive office. There are also close links with the Rights, Respect and Responsibility agenda and the Unicef award for a "Rights Respecting School".

3.2 Schools worked in cross phase partnerships in some instances, or in partnership with the Hampshire Archive Office in others. Pupils have become involved in a variety of activities including visits, interviewing members of the community and focussing on story and narratives within their own experience and within the community. Pupils attention focused on concepts such as transition, memorials, community and remembrance.

4)Dissemination of ideas and activities:

4.1 David Bond is preparing a DVD and banners for disseminating ideas to other schools. Materials will be posted on the RE and History Moodle sites (Interactive electronic websites) that all schools can access

4.3 Julia Graham of the Rushmoor Borough Council intends to disseminate the schools' activities via the Nepalese newspaper that is made available in the Rushmoor area.

5)A unit of work about Travellers:

5.1. Swanmore and Yately Secondary schools are continuing develop work about Travellers in relation to the Community Cohesion project. This is being developed with Liz Statham, the Travellers advisor in Hampshire.

6) The development of the project:

6.1 The Hampshire Museum service has made a successful bid for funding that will enable the Community Cohesion project to continue into 2011. They are working closely with a partnership of a primary and a secondary school on developing strategies for community cohesion within their locality and to use museum space to disseminate the activities more widely with the involvement of parents and other members of the community. The funding will also enable the Hampshire RE team to continue in an advisory capacity.

7) The Prevent strategy

7.1 . The Prevent Strategy is a Government initiative "The Prevent Strategy: A Guide for Local Partners in England. Stopping people becoming or supporting terrorists and violent extremists."

7.2. Hampshire Inspection and Advisory Service (HIAS) is planning conferences for teachers to promote the Prevent Strategy in schools. The support officers of SACRE will attend and contribute to these conferences and report to SACRE.

8) Conclusions

That SACRE notes the report and endorses the continued developments of the Community Cohesion project led by the Hampshire Museum Service.