Community Cohesion: Plenary
Reflecting on the courses
These two courses encouraged consideration of, and action-planning for, the contribution geographical learning makes towards the school's duty to promote community cohesion.
They started from the viewpoint of geography being a place-based manifestation of the concepts related to community cohesion and diversity. As such, community cohesion is seen as part of the experience of young people in what we term 'living geography'.
These courses are not a substitute for a whole-school review but intend to inform the SEF and demonstrate routes to possible inspection evidence from a subject perspective. The geography importance statement includes a key section for these courses:
'... how a diverse range of economies, societies and environments are interconnected. It builds on pupils' own experiences to investigate places at all scales, from the personal to the global.'
The concepts include:
'1.7 Cultural understanding and diversity
1. Appreciating the differences and similarities between people, places, environments and cultures to inform their understanding of societies and economies.
2. Appreciating how people's values and attitudes differ and may influence social, environmental, economic and political issues, and developing their own values and attitudes about such issues.'
This is the statutory context for geography’s contribution towards the schools' statutory requirement to promote community cohesion.
Subject contribution
The DCSF Guidance is quite clear on what it means by the school community and the community within which the school is located. The definitions regarding the wider community are less clear:
- The UK community - all schools are by definition part of this community
- The global community - formed by the EU and international links
In your own documentation, you might like refer to more detailed statements such as the National Curriculum or QCDA guidance and show how these communities are evident in schemes of work. How would you back this up with evidence of the impact you are having?
In addition, the guidance for inspectors points out that 'schools themselves create communities' so you might like to identify how the department works collaboratively with other schools and is engaged through professional networks such as your subject association.
Revisit your audit
In the first course it was suggested that you carry out an audit on curriculum provision. Now re-read your audit document and mark the completed actions and insert any new ones. Keep both copies as it provides evidence of your learning journey.
If you did not complete the 'Teaching and Learning Audit' download the Word document from the Teachernet website. Complete and save your own responses to the audit.
Links and further resources
Exploration of these sources is supplementary to the course completion time.
QCDA (2008) Global Development in action: a planning guide for schools
QCDA (2010) Community Cohesion in action: a planning guide for schools
QCDA National Curriculum Planning for identity and cultural diversity
QCDA National Curriculum Equalities, diversity and inclusion
Teachers TV Community Cohesion - Good Practice in Two Schools
Gain recognition for engaging with these courses
The Teacher Learning Academy (TLA) is the first national system for teacher learning and has been set up to support, recognise and celebrate the professional achievements of teachers. It actively encourages teachers to share knowledge, ideas and best practice.
The GA is a TLA Support Partner which means that if you are working towards TLA Stage One or Two verification you can use these courses to provide the focus for your learning journey.
What is the TLA and how do I enrol?
Teacher Learning Academy website
Share your learning
We would love to find out how you developed the resources and approaches presented in these courses in your own school, so that they become interactive resources and part of an ongoing professional dialogue.
Contact John Lyon at the Geographical Association with your thoughts and contributions, or to suggest additional websites and materials that might be appropriate.
You might like to share what you have learnt with others through the Geographical Association Network (Ning). Sign up for your free account.
Slideshare, Slideboom and Scribd are other places you might choose to share your work.
Thank you, and if you enjoyed the course, remember to tell others about it!
COURSE END
Community Cohesion Part One >>>
Community Cohesion Part Two >>>
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