Radicalisation, Extremism & Prevent

The Prevent Duty for England and Wales (2015) under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty on education and other children’s services to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. 

Extremism is defined as ‘as ‘vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs’. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas.  

Some children are at risk of being radicalised; adopting beliefs and engaging in activities which are harmful, criminal or dangerous. 

Hatherleigh Community Primary School is clear that exploitation of vulnerable children and radicalisation should be viewed as a safeguarding concern and follows the Department for Education guidance for schools and childcare providers on preventing children and young people from being drawn into terrorism.

Hatherleigh Community Primary School seeks to protect children and young people against the messages of all violent extremism including, but not restricted to, those linked to Islamist ideology, or to Far Right / Neo Nazi / White Supremacist ideology, Irish Nationalist and Loyalist paramilitary groups, and extremist Animal Rights movements.

School staff receive training to help identify early signs of radicalisation and extremism. 

Opportunities are provided in the curriculum to enable pupils to discuss issues of religion, ethnicity and culture and the school follows the DfE advice Promoting Fundamental British Values as part of SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural education) in Schools (2014).

The school governors, the Headteacher and the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) will assess the level of risk within the school and put actions in place to reduce that risk.  Risk assessment may include the use of school premises by external agencies, anti-bullying policy and other issues specific to the school’s profile, community and philosophy. 

If a parent/carer or staff memeber has concerns that a pupil may be at risk of radicalisation or involvement in terrorism, they should speak with the DSL.

 If the matter is urgent then Devon & Cornwall Police must be contacted by dialling 999. In non-urgent cases where police advice is sought then dial 101. The Department of Education has also set up a dedicated telephone helpline for staff and governors to raise concerns around Prevent (020 7340 7264).

Channel is the voluntary, confidential support programme which focuses on providing support at an early stage to individuals that have been identified as being vulnerable to radicalisation.  Prevent referrals may be passed to the multi-agency Channel panel to determine whether individuals require support.

The Prevent Duty can be accessed via this link.  

The Prevent Duty, for Further Education Institutions

Guidance on Channel https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/channel-guidance

Further information can be obtained from the Home Office website.