Preventing Radicalisation and Extremism

From 1 July 2015 all schools have been subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This duty is known as the Prevent duty.  Schools can meet the requirements of the duty through effective risk assessment, working in partnership, staff training and IT policies.
In line with this, and in order to meet the requirements of the duty, the West Cumbria Learning Centre has taken the following measures:

  • Staff have been trained to identify pupils at risk of being drawn into terrorism, and know what action to take in order to safeguard these youngsters
  • Staff have been trained to understand the Channel programme, which provides a mechanism for schools to make referrals if they are concerned that an individual might be vulnerable to radicalisation
  • The Designated Safeguarding Lead, Deputy Safeguarding Leads and wider Safeguarding Team are able to provide advice and support to other members of staff on protecting children from the risk of radicalisation
  • The Management Committee regularly monitors actions taken by leaders to safeguard pupils
  • The Centre’s Child Protection and Online Safety policies and procedures take account of the duty
  • The curriculum provides pupils with opportunities to learn fundamental British values, and to learn the skills to think critically so as to understand and tolerate difference.  Through the Personal Development curriculum pupils learn to understand the risks associated with terrorism and develop the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge extremist arguments
  • The Centre undertakes curriculum mapping of PSHCEE / SMSC delivery, in order to ensure all pupils are given the opportunity to learn how to keep themselves safe
  • All pupils, staff and visitors are made aware of the Centre’s expectations around ICT usage, and are asked to read and sign an ‘Acceptable Use’ statement prior to accessing the Centre’s ICT systems.  All pupil ICT access is supervised, and effective web-filtering and monitoring is in place.  Pupils are taught how to stay safe online, as part of the curriculum

To read our Parent Pamphlet on the Prevent Strategy, please click here