A new national community cohesion framework will support
colleges, universities and student unions to strengthen belonging
and inclusion.
We are living in a period of heightened polarisation, and the
education sector has a vital role to play in promoting a greater
sense of belonging, human mutuality, curiosity and empathetic
approach to disagreement in our local communities.
The University of Salford, Department for Education (DfE) and National Union of
Students (NUS)
are partnering to develop a national community cohesion framework
for students at colleges, universities and in student unions.
The framework will bring together a set of agreed principles that
support students' conduct and engagement on issues that underpin
or, if left unaddressed, undermine cohesion within education
settings and the wider communities they serve. Co-designed with
students from diverse backgrounds and experiences, their voice
and actions will be at the centre of the framework, its
implementation and monitoring and evaluation.
This initiative responds directly to the government's Protecting What
Matterspolicy paper, and has been accelerated in
response to the rise in antisemitism and other forms of hatred.
It will be developed in 5 areas:
- Greater Manchester
- North West and North London
- Bristol and Gloucestershire
- Sunderland and the North East
- Derby and East Midlands
It will then be rolled out for wider testing and implementation.
If you're a student in one of these areas and interested in
getting involved, you can complete the Expression
of Interest: Community Cohesion Framework form.
Student Unions, further and higher education providers will be
able to use the framework to review and strengthen existing
policies and promote positive student relationships and civic
participation. An accompanying toolkit will help organisations
to:
- develop local frameworks, charters or initiatives where they
don't exist
- offer practical examples of how to build cohesion with
students
- establish an approach to monitoring and evaluating what works
well
This work is supported by an expert advisory group,
spanning education, civil society and policy. The empirical
research will be led by the University of Salford, comprising
student focus groups, stakeholder interviews and desk-based
research. Students can also share their view on local community
by joining the National Conversation.
This work represents an important opportunity to empower student
leaders to drive positive change and build stronger education
settings where empathy, respect and belonging can thrive. A first
draft of the framework and toolkit is anticipated by the end of
the year.
Advisory group
The group is made of members with further and higher education
sector expertise, as well as faith and student representatives.
The full membership of the group is as follows:
- Nic Beech (chair) and Fran Darlington-Pollock, University of
Salford (Steering Group)
- Kaynat Ahmad and Avery Greatorex, National Union of Students
(Steering Group)
- Zoe Forbes, Vicki Stewart and Jenny Heath, Department for
Education (Steering Group)
- Jamie Agombar, Students Organising for Sustainability
- Akeela Ahmed MBE, British Muslim Trust
- Arif Ahmed, Office for Students
- Ben Elger, Office of the Independent Adjudicator
- Emeka Forbes, Together Alliance
- Jeff Greenidge, Association of Colleges
- Angela Halston, Independent Higher Education
- Alistair Jarvis CBE, Advance HE
- Mervyn Kaye, Ruben Persey, Union of Jewish Students
- Chine McDonald, Theos
- Vanessa Ogden CBE, Department for Education
- Clare Peddie, Quality Council
- Vivienne Stern MBE, Universities UK
- Rosie Tressler OBE, Student Minds
- Kate Wicklow, Guild HE
