8th May 2007
Community Cohesion & School Twinning
The Catholic Education Service (CES) supports twinning and other collaborative activities where they can add to the life of all types of school. We seek a Government strategy of encouragement and practical support for this proposal so that schools don’t feel a further burden, but rather an opportunity. We hope that the Government will allocate enough resources to help with the practical aspects of these initiatives.
Catholic schools are already engaged in much good practice in linking with other educational institutions and on the promotion of community cohesion in general, and they are keen to build on this strong existing base. We urge that schools with a religious character should be seen positively in this discussion because all schools have much to learn from each other; the CES therefore welcomes community schools seeking to make connections with schools in the Catholic sector as well as the reverse. We should remember that community cohesion aims to embrace many elements of diversity, for example issues of social class, disability and age. When it comes to race there are certainly areas of the country that remain largely mono-cultural. A discerning response to how community cohesion can be promoted will be necessary.
Ms Oona Stannard
Chief Executive and Director
Catholic Education Service | 
