Prevent
Protecting children from radicalisation and extremism
We take seriously our statutory duty to protect children from being drawn into terrorism and extremism. While some children are more susceptible, any child can be radicalised.
Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups. It can occur over a period of time or quickly.
Extremism is vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, such as democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. This includes calling for the death of members of the armed forces.
Terrorism is an action that:
- endangers or causes serious violence to a person/people
- causes serious damage to property, or
- seriously interferes or disrupts an electronic system.
The use or threat of terrorism must be designed to influence the government or to intimidate the public and is made for the purpose of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause.
To prevent children from being drawn into radicalisation, we make sure
- Our filtering and monitoring systems will prevent and protect children from accessing extremist material.
- Pupils are taught about British Values and staying safe online via the curriculum.
- Children are provided with a safe space to discuss controversial issues and the skills they need to challenge extremist views.
- Staff are trained to spot the indicators of radicalisation and extremism and how to report concerns as soon as possible.
- All staff attend Prevent awareness training and are aware of the latest guidance.
- We assess the risk of the children in our school being drawn into terrorism, working with the local partnership.
The Educate against hate government website lists signs that could indicate that a child is being radicalised:
- becoming increasingly argumentative
- refusing to listen to different points of view
- unwilling to engage with children who are different
- becoming abusive to children who are different
- embracing conspiracy theories
- feeling persecuted
- changing friends and appearance
- distancing themselves from old friends
- no longer doing things they used to enjoy
- converting to a new religion
- being secretive and reluctant to discuss their whereabouts
- changing online identity
- having more than one online identity
- spending a lot of time online or on the phone
- accessing extremist online content
- joining or trying to join an extremist organisation