Seminar on 'Community Schools'

The concept of community schools links excellence in education with many other pedagogic and social challenges, such as equal opportunities, social cohesion, informal learning, parental involvement in schools, partnerships with the community, policy making capacity of local schools.

Professor Alan Dyson (Centre for Equity in Education, University of Manchester) presented an overview of international experience and evidence on community schools. Three EUNEC member councils offered insights in policy related to community schools in their country (Wales, Romania, Netherlands). Participants discussed their findings in preparation of common statements.

The second day of the seminar was dedicated to a school visit. Participants were warmly welcomed by the director, parents, pupils, teachers and partners of Sint-Joost-aan-Zee, a community school in Brussels' city center.