Education policy, social cohesion and citizenship

Abstract This chapter investigates the dynamic between citizenship and cohesion agendas, and reflects on tensions and contradictions between official policies, intended outcomes, and differentials in student attainment. The aim is to make explicit some assumptions about learners that underpin policies, and to explore the meanings of terms such as ‘diversity’, ‘citizenship’, and ‘community cohesion’ within education policy. There was never a uniform country-wide policy of multiculturalism in education. The introduction of citizenship education into schools was part of a wider New Labour social project, including ‘civil renewal’ and policy developments relating to immigration and asylum. The notion of earning rights is problematic. Education policy involves the application, interpretation, and sometimes subversion of the original goals. There is still a challenge in changing and developing the policies of social cohesion in education.