04 March 2013
The Jersey Community Relations Trust has commissioned Southampton University to undertake a research project on equality for community groups in the Jersey school system.
The research, which is already under way, is being led by Professor Anthony Kelly of the university’s Education School. His team is scheduled to report back in December 2013.
The project is being undertaken in co-operation with the Education, Sport and Culture department and Jersey schools. Statistical data will be analysed by the university team, who are also visiting some schools and interviewing staff and students as part of their research.
Seeking evidence
Dr Elena Moran, Chair of the CRT, said “Since 2004, we have pursued research and advocacy work related to topics such as civil partnerships, housing discrimination, inheritance law, bullying, complaints against police and maternity rights. The Trust is now seeking to focus on education and the outcomes for community groups.
“This research will seek to develop the evidence base for this focus. A key aim will be to examine the inter-relations between education, socio-economic status, ethnicity and residency status.”
Social inclusion
The research project will not attempt to compare individual schools but will investigate the social mix at different kinds of school and the educational achievements of community groups.
ESC Minister Deputy Patrick Ryan said “We are also looking at issues of equality and social inclusion in our schools so we welcome this involvement from the Community Relations Trust and will be extremely interested to see the results of the research, which will parallel work already under way at a Ministerial and departmental level.”
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