Notions of diversity, British identities and citizenship belonging

an article by Uvanney Maylora (University of Bedfordshire) published in Race Ethnicity and Education Volume 13 Issue 2 (July 2010)

Abstract
This article reports on a small-scale research study commissioned by the then Department for Education and Skills ([DfES] now the Department for Children, Schools and Families [DCSF]) in June 2006 to aid the work of the Diversity and Citizenship Curriculum Review Group, headed by Sir Keith Ajegbo. The findings concentrate on how “diversity” is viewed by schools and the implications of this for developing pupil understanding of British diversity, British identities and citizenship belonging. The article highlights student perceptions and experience of a diverse curriculum together with their perceptions of “Britishness” and citizenship belonging. In examining school and student understanding of diversity, this article explores two discrete aspects: “diversity” education and education about “Britishness”. While supporting the need to value British diversity, the article nevertheless challenges the assumption that ethnic or cultural “heritage” is always positive and/or learning about it positive.

Hazel’s comment:
And the commissioning Department is no longer the Department for Children, Schools and Families but ‘twas ever thus. I started working for the Department of Employment, which added “and Productivity” to its name and then took it off again – all in three years. And many of the forms used for benefit claims still had “Ministry of Labour” printed on them. Then, oh blessed relief, stability came with the biggest quango of the lot, The Manpower Services Commission, until 1990 and then the name changing, role changing started all over again!

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