Prevent Policy & Procedures
Adopted and implemented by the Principal | January 2024 |
To be reviewed (annually) | January 2025 |
Billesley Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children.
Introduction |
Safeguarding children from all risks of harm is a key element of the school’s responsibility, and protecting from extremism is one aspect of that. Schools have an important part to play in both educating children and young people about extremism and recognising when pupils are at risk of becoming radicalised. We have a duty to prepare our children for life in modern Britain and to keep them safe. All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. Evidence shows that children with low aspirations are more susceptible to radicalisation. Therefore the school’s ethos and the work it carries out to ensure pupils have confidence and self-belief, and are both tolerant and respectful whilst having high expectations of themselves, are crucial in combating radicalisation. |
Aims |
The main aims of this policy are to ensure that all staff are vigilant for the signs of radicalisation and to ensure that we work alongside other professional bodies and agencies to safeguard our children from harm. |
Objectives |
1. All staff will have an understanding of what radicalisation and extremism are and why we need to be vigilant in school 2. All staff will know what the school policy is on anti-radicalisation and extremism and will follow the policy when issues arise. 3. All staff have a role appropriate understanding of the Prevent Duty Guidance 2023 and it’s primary aim to ‘tackle the ideological causes of terrorism’ by ’reducing permissive environments’ |
Definitions taken from the Prevent Duty Guidance 2023 |
Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism (ERWT) Describes those involved in Extreme Right-Wing activity who use violence in furtherance of their ideology. These ideologies can be broadly characterised as Cultural Nationalism, White Nationalism and White Supremacism. Individuals and groups may subscribe to ideological tenets and ideas from more than one category. Islamist Terrorism Is the threat or use of violence as a means to establish a strict interpretation of an Islamic society. For some this is a political ideology which envisions, for example, the creation of a global Islamic caliphate based on strict implementation of shari’ah law. Many adherents believe that violence (or jihad as they conceive it) is not only a necessary strategic tool to achieve their aims, but an individual’s religious duty. In the UK the Islamist terrorist threat comes overwhelmingly from those inspired by, but not necessarily affiliated with, Daesh and/or al-Qa’ida, but they operate within a wider landscape of radicalising influences as set out in the government’s response to the Independent Review of Prevent. Islamist should not be interpreted as a reference to individuals who follow the religion of Islam. Left-wing, Anarchist, Single-Issue Terrorism (LASIT) Encompasses a wide range of ideologies. It includes those from the extreme political left-wing as well as anarchists who seek to use violence to advance their cause in seeking to overthrow the State in all its forms. Permissive environment A ‘permissive environment’ may be characterised as being tolerant of behaviour or practices strongly disapproved of by others, such as an environment where radicalising ideologies are permitted to flourish. Radicalisers create and take advantage of permissive environments to promote or condone violence and to spread harmful ideologies that undermine our values and society. Permissive environments can exist both online and offline. Permissive online environments can contribute to online radicalisation. Ideology A terrorist ‘ideology’ is a set of beliefs, principles, and objectives to which an individual or group purports to adhere and attempts to instil in others to radicalise them towards becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. There are several concepts or ‘tools’ that often feature in terrorist and extremist ideologies, including: narrative, propaganda, grievances, and conspiracy theory. Susceptibility Is complex and unique to a person’s circumstances. Within Prevent, susceptibility refers to the fact that a person may be likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by terrorist and extremist ideologies that support or radicalise people into terrorism. Please see the ‘susceptibility to radicalisation’ section of the Prevent duty guidance 2023. As set out in the Prevent duty guidance, a person’s susceptibility may be linked to their vulnerability (see vulnerability below), but not all people susceptible to radicalisation will be vulnerable. There may be other circumstances, needs or other underlying factors that may make a person susceptible to radicalisation but do not constitute a vulnerability. |
Signs of susceptibility |
There are no known definitive indicators that a young person is susceptible to radicalisation, but there are a number of signs that together increase the risk. These include:
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Recognising extremism |
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Role of the Curriculum |
As mentioned above, it is recognised that children with low aspirations are more susceptible to radicalisation and therefore at Billesley Primary School we strive to equip our pupils with confidence, self-belief, respect and tolerance, as well as setting high standards and expectations for themselves and their educational outcomes. We are committed to ensuring that our pupils are offered a broad and balanced curriculum which aims to prepare them for life in modern Britain and teach the values of living in Britain. We encourage our pupils to be inquisitive learners who are open to new experiences and respect the views and beliefs of others. Through our curriculum including Philosophy for Children (P4C) and RE lessons, pupils are encouraged to share their views and recognise that they are entitled to have their own different beliefs which should not be used to influence others. Our PSHE/citizenship provision is embedded across the curriculum and underpins the ethos of the school and serves to reduce any potential permissive environment Through the computing curriculum, pupils are taught how to stay safe when using the internet and encouraged to recognise that people are not always who they say they are online. The children are taught to seek adult help if they are upset or concerned about anything they read or see on the internet. The internet provides children and young people with access to a wide range of content, some of which are harmful. Extremists use the internet, including social media, to share their messages. Recognising our responsibility to reduce permissive environments and limit the opportunities for the sharing of extremist ideologies, our filtering and monitoring systems block inappropriate content, including extremist material. However none-the-less pupils are regularly reminded to report inappropriate content, including extremist material, should they come into contact with it. Parents are given information on how to help and support their children at home with E-Safety. As a UN Convention on the Rights of a Child Silver status school (UNCRC), we aim to deliver our SMSC/PSHE curriculum through a holistic approach. Children are taught what it means to be a proactive global citizen through the 54 articles. Whole school assemblies focus on the Convention and children are given the opportunity to understand the articles, contextualise them and become ambassadors for the rights of children across the world. Through our pupil leadership initiative, children are encouraged to voice their opinions freely and openly, carefully considering the opinions of their peers to ensure they demonstrate respect and tolerance inline with the Equality Act 2010 and as referenced in Article 12 from UNCRC; Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously. This right applies at all times, for example during immigration proceedings, housing decisions or the child’s day-to-day home life. They still have the human right to have opinions and for these opinions to be heard and taken seriously. Our Pastoral Team works closely with teachers, children and families to identify opportunities for Early Help. Children know who to speak to if they feel worried or unsafe and are provided both the physical and emotional space to sit, reflect and share |
Reducing permissive environment |
At Billesley Primary school our No Platform Policy ensures that our facilities are not used by anyone seeking to spread hateful messages or share extremist narratives and content which might reasonably be linked to terrorism Our Online Safety policy, Acceptable use policies for staff, children and visitors and our robust filtering and monitoring software ensure that our IT equipment is not used in any way to share or distribute extremist or hateful narratives with a view to radicalising or inciting terrorism. |
Staff training |
Through regular staff updates and training, alongside continuing professional development opportunities, we will ensure our staff is fully aware of the threats, risks and vulnerabilities that are linked to radicalisation and is aware of the process of radicalisation and the early indicators. New staff and staff returning to work after significant periods of absence, such as maternity leave, undertake Prevent training as part of the school’s induction and re-induction process. Mr Hudson our Lead DSL and SPOC (single point of contact) will undertake more in depth training including the Home Office Prevent Duty training a minimum of every two years Training sources we employ as a school:: Home Office Education Against Hate Flick E-Learning |
Procedure for referrals |
It is important for us to be vigilant and fully informed about issues that affect the local and wider community. We adhere to the principles of “Notice, Check, Share’ as set out in the Prevent Duty Guidance 2023. We are very clear that context is important. Notice: look for changes and consider the risk Check: look at the bigger picture and consider the context Share: refer to DSL, log on Myconcern, SLT triage,refer to CASS/Police Staff are reminded to suspend any professional disbelief that incidents of radicalisation ‘could not happen here’ and to record any concerns on Myconcern where they will be reviewed by the safeguarding team and Mr Hudson, the Single Point of Contact (SPOC). The team will discuss any concerns raised and if necessary contact Children’s Advice and Support Service (CASS) for advice and support. Other steps as judged necessary may include submitting a formal request for support to CASS alongside a completed screening tool. The school will not contact the Police directly as this responsibility lies with CASS if deemed necessary to initiate a Gateway Assessment. The next steps if a referral is made will result on the matter being reviewed bya Chanel Panel |
Safer Recruitment |
We ensure our recruitment processes are rigorous, and in line with statutory requirements, best practice guidance and the school’s safer recruitment policy. Staff are well trained and vigilant |
Visitors in school |
All visitors are accommodated in line with the school’s visitors’ policy which covers all staff, contractors, volunteers, community council, temporary staff, supply and regular visitors. |
Risk Assessment |
Prevent and Chanel Fact Sheet |
Prevent Duty Extremism Screening Tool |