All TEACH trust schools are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. We recognise that safeguarding against extremism and radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability.

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.

On 1 July 2015 the Prevent duty (section 26) of The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 came into force. This duty places the responsibility on local authorities to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

As part of Teach trusts commitment to safeguarding and child protection we fully support the government's Prevent Strategy.

Extremism is defined by the Government in the Prevent Strategy 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.”

AIMS AND PRINCIPLES

The main aims of this policy statement are to ensure that staff are fully engaged in being vigilant about radicalisation; that they overcome professional disbelief that such issues will not happen here and ensure that we work alongside other professional bodies and agencies to ensure that our pupils are safe from harm. The principle objectives are that:

• All staff and Trustees will have an understanding of what radicalisation and extremism are and why we need to be vigilant in school.
• All staff and Trustees will know what the school policy is on anti-radicalisation and extremism and will follow the policy when issues arise.
• All parents and pupils will know that the school has policies in place to keep pupils safe from harm and that the school regularly reviews its systems to ensure they are appropriate and effective.

DEFINITIONS AND INDICATORS 

Radicalisation is defined as the act or process of making a person more radical or favouring of extreme or fundamental changes in political, economic or social conditions, institutions or habits of the mind. Extremism is defined as the holding of extreme political or religious views. 

PROCEDURES FOR REFERRALS 

It is important for us to be constantly vigilant and remain fully informed about the issues which affect the region in which we teach. Staff are reminded to suspend any professional disbelief that instances of radicalisation ‘could not happen here’ and to refer any concerns through the appropriate channels (currently via the Designated Safeguarding Lead Safeguarding Coordinator or Headteacher). 

We believe that it is possible to intervene to protect people who are vulnerable. Early intervention is vital and staff must be aware of the established processes for front line professionals to refer concerns about individuals and/or groups. We must have the confidence to challenge, the confidence to intervene and ensure that we have strong safeguarding practices based on the most up-to-date guidance and best practice.

The Designated Lead for Child Protection and Safeguarding and the Executive Headteacher will deal swiftly with any referrals made by staff or with concerns reported by staff.

 The Executive Headteacher will discuss the most appropriate course of action on a case-by-case basis and will decide when a referral to external agencies is needed. 

THE ROLE OF THE CURRICULUM

Our curriculum promotes respect, tolerance and diversity. We are committed to ensuring that our pupils are offered a broad and balanced curriculum that aims to prepare them for life in modern Britain. Children 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 (Personal, Social and Health Education), Citizenship and SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) provision is embedded across the curriculum, and underpins the ethos of the school.  Teaching the schools’ core values alongside the fundamental British values supports quality teaching and learning, whilst making a positive contribution to the development of a fair, just and civil society. Children are regularly taught about how to stay safe when using the Internet and are encouraged to recognise that people are not always who they say they are online. They are taught to seek adult help if they are upset or concerned about anything they read or see on the Internet. 

ROLE OF THE TRUST BOARD AND TRUSTEES

The Trust Board and Trustees will undertake appropriate training to ensure that they are clear about their role and the parameters of their responsibilities, including their statutory safeguarding duties. They will support the ethos and values of our school and will support the school in tackling extremism and radicalisation. In line with the provisions set out in the DfE guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, Trustees will challenge the school’s senior leadership team on the delivery of this policy and monitor its effectiveness. Governors will review this policy regularly (every two years) and may amend and adapt it outside of this time frame in accordance with any new legislation or guidance or in response to any quality assurance recommendations pertaining to the delivery of this policy and the overall safeguarding arrangements made. 

RECRUITMENT

The arrangements for recruiting all staff, permanent and volunteers, to our school will follow guidance for safer recruitment best practice in education settings, including, but not limited to:

• ensuring that DBS checks are always made at the appropriate level
• that references are always received and checked
• completing and maintaining a single central record of such vetting checks
• an online search 

We will apply safer recruitment best practice principles and sound employment practice in general and in doing so will deny opportunities for inappropriate recruitment or advancement.

We will be alert to the possibility that persons may seek to gain positions within our school so as to unduly influence our schools character and ethos. We are aware that such persons seek to limit opportunities for our pupils thereby rendering them vulnerable to extremist views and radicalisation. By adhering to safer recruitment best practice techniques and by ensuring that there is an ongoing culture of vigilance within our school and staff team we will minimise the opportunities for extremist views to prevail.

STAFF TRAINING

All staff recruited undertake an online training course to identify the PREVENT duty. In addition through induction and other training opportunities in school, we will ensure that our staff are fully aware of the threats, risks and vulnerabilities that are linked to radicalisation and are aware of the process of radicalisation and how this might be identified early on.

USEFUL LINK FOR PARENTS/CARERS

The Prevent duty is a programme to ensure that children are not exposed to extremism.  Advice can be accessed here if you have a concern about extremism or you can contact the school and ask to speak to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.