Prevent Strategy

Our school's Single Point of Contact (SPoC) is Mr Ben Lynch (Headteacher and DSL).

Preventing Radicalisation in School

Building resilience in our young people and the promotion of Fundamental British Values is at the heart of preventing radicalisation. We do this by providing a safe place in which children can discuss issues, and we aim to give them the knowledge and confidence to challenge extremist beliefs and ideologies.

Our prevent duty is carried out under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, which legally requires us to take steps to prevent children from being drawn into terrorism.

We recognise that we play a vital role in keeping children safe from harm, including from the risks of extremism and radicalisation, and in promoting the welfare of children in our care.

What we do if there is a concern

If we have a concern about a particular pupil we will follow the school’s normal safeguarding procedures, including discussing with the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and where deemed necessary, with children’s social care.

We may also contact the local police force or dial 101 (the non-emergency number). They can talk to us in confidence about concerns and help us gain access to support and advice.

The Department for Education has dedicated a telephone helpline (020 7340 7264) to enable staff and governors to raise concerns relating to extremism directly. Concerns can also be raised by email to counter.extremism@education.gsi.gov.uk Please note that the helpline is not intended for use in emergency situations, such as a child being at immediate risk of harm or a security incident. In an emergency situation we will follow the recommended emergency procedures.

Spotting the signs of radicalisation

The journey to becoming radicalised is different for everyone and there are many reasons why someone becomes vulnerable. Radicalisation can take place very quickly, or over a long period of time.

More important than any one specific sign is the sense that something is not quite right with the person you’re worried about. You could spot one sign or a combination of signs that seem to be increasing in intensity. 

There is no single route to radicalisation; however, there are certain behaviours that may be signs that someone is being led down the path of extremism. Some of these signs may be:

• Being influenced or controlled by a group
• An obsessive or angry desire for change or ‘something to be done’
• Spending an increasing amount of time online and sharing extreme views on social media
• Personal crisis
• Need for identity, meaning and belonging
• Mental health issues
• Looking to blame others
• Desire for status – need to dominate

Share a concern

The earlier a concern is raised, the quicker a person can be helped, especially if they are being groomed or radicalised. Often victims of radicalisation do not need ongoing police involvement when support has been put in place.

To make a report to the Prevent Team, please call 0161 8566345. Alternatively, reports can be made to the National Police Prevent Advice Line on 0800 011 3764. If your concern is an emergency, you must call 999.

To report online material promoting terrorism or extremism, please following this link: Report Online Material Promoting Terrorism or Extremism

Support available

Anyone reported to Prevent is assessed by the local authority and other partners. Channel is Prevent’s voluntary, confidential and early intervention support programme which supports people who may be at risk of being drawn into terrorism.

Channel support includes things like theological or ideological mentoring, help with mental health, drug or alcohol abuse issues, as well as education and career advice. Taking part in Channel does not go on someone’s criminal record and will not negatively impact their future education or career prospects. It means getting the right kind of help to move away from extremism.

To make a referral to Prevent, please follow this link: Make a Prevent Referral