New report on values, beliefs and faiths and their contribution to college excellence and community

A new report into the role of further education colleges in social, moral, spiritual and cultural (smsc) development was launched this month at the recent conference on Values, Beliefs and Faiths and focused on how that further education colleges are investigating new ways to improve support for the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of their students.

[UKPRwire, Tue Jan 23 2007] A range of college principals outlined innovative solutions they are exploring for sustainable community cohesion and Dr Rowan Williams gave the keynote address. The conference focused on the interim report from the sector-wide review group set up following the further education white paper Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances and the role colleges play in the social unity of their local communities.

Organised by the National Ecumenical Agency in Further Education (NEAFE) and Faiths in FE Forum (FIFEF) together with training and learning specialist Tribal Group, the conference offered delegates the opportunity to discuss the report’s emerging findings and recommendations with key religious, educational, political and cultural leaders as well as a chance to learn about and influence the work of the Commission on Cohesion and Integration. The NEAFE/FIFEF landmark report focuses on student and staff views of the role of spiritual and moral development in FE and it is hoped that its findings will inform future government thinking and policy in addition to shaping the strategy of forward-thinking, progressive and successful colleges. The key findings of the report Values, Beliefs and Faiths: the national sector-wide review of opportunities for spiritual and moral development in the further education sector show that over half (55%) of students who responded indicated that values, beliefs and faiths are important in their own lives and 77% of students think that colleges should provide for people’s faith needs. Two thirds (66%) of students say that are more likely to feel part of a college or workplace that actively encourages dialogue and activities between people and communities of diverse faiths and backgrounds. The review is based on 1150 responses from the FE sector. (Full findings available from www.neafe.org.)

Held at Lambeth Palace in London, the event offered an outstanding opportunity to meet and discuss issues with the country’s foremost leaders in matters of faith, further education and society.

Francis Nicholson, Training Director, Training and Learning at Tribal adds, “The report shows conclusively that giving credence to values has an impact on achievement and student satisfaction. Bill Rammell has gone on record as saying that he would like to see every college having a minister or faith leader as part of the student support function.”

The Conference was chaired by Dr Ann Limb, Chair of NEAFE/Faiths in FE Forum with the keynote address by The Most Reverend Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Principals, senior managers, governors, chaplains, members of faith communities and others with interest in values, beliefs and faiths in further education attended the day-long seminar held on 12 January 2007.

Tribal is one of the UK's most experienced and innovative educational consultancies and is the leading management consultancy in the further education sector, with a primary focus on strategic, organisational, financial and MIS support.

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Notes to editors:

1. Tribal is one of the most successful and fastest growing companies supporting the public sector in the UK today. We are a leading provider of professional support services, offering a range of consultancy and delivered services. Our turnover is over £250 million and we employ over 2,300 people from a regional network of offices. Our services are grouped into the following areas: consulting, technology, resourcing, education, property, communications and delivery.

2. Our services are provided to over 2,500 public sector organisations, predominantly within education; health and social care; local government, housing and regeneration; and central government. We work with 80 per cent of secondary schools; 75 per cent of local authorities; 95 per cent of further education colleges; 90 per cent of strategic health authorities; and 75 per cent of NHS trusts.

3. We remain at the forefront of innovation in terms of public service delivery. We are operating a regional network of independent sector treatment centres in England on behalf of the NHS, putting us alongside major international healthcare providers.

For further information, please contact the Tribal Group communications team on 01285
886020 or by email: media@tribalgroup.co.uk

For further information, interview requests or interviews, please contact:
Catherine Dhanjal, TheAnswer Ltd Tel: 01883 650434 or 0794 166 9925
Email: catherine.dhanjal@theansweruk.com
Ref: TA-367

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