St Winifred’s Catholic Primary School

Anti-Radicalisation Policy

 

St Winifred’s Catholic Primary School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. As a school we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability. At St Winifred’s Catholic Primary School 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.

Links to Other Policies

The St Winifred’s Catholic Primary School Anti-Radicalisation policy statement links to the following policies:

The following national guidelines should also be read when working with this policy:

  • PREVENT Strategy HM Government
  • Keeping Children Safe in Education DfE 2014
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children HM Government 2013

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 governors, teachers, teaching assistants and non-teaching staff will have an understanding of what radicalisation and extremism are and why we need to be vigilant in school.
  • All governors, teachers, teaching assistants and non-teaching staff 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

Although serious incidents involving radicalisation have not occurred at St Winifred’s Catholic School to date, 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 safeguarding lead, Margaret Hanrahan or the deputy safeguarding leads, Fiona Cullen and Cressida Peake).

Advice or referrals regarding concerns will be raised with the local authority MASH team or directly to the Prevent team (Prevent@Lewisham.gov.uk).  If there is an immediate risk to someone’s safety 999 will be called.

Children’s attendance is reviewed on a fortnightly basis and procedures for following up absence are clearly outlined in the school’s attendance and punctuality policy. Where there are concerns about prolonged absence with no explanation despite attempts to contact the family, a home visit is conducted by the school and /or the attendance and welfare officer.  If this is not successful the child is referred to the LA children missing in education team. If there are concerns re radicalisation the school will raise this with the team.

Requests to educate children at home are referred to the Lewisham Elective Home Education team. Again where there are concerns re radicalisation the school will raise this with the team.

The Role of the Curriculum

Our curriculum promotes respect, tolerance and diversity. 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) and SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) provision is embedded across the curriculum, and underpins the ethos of the school. The school values are actively promoted through assemblies, lessons and policies.

It is recognised that children with low aspirations are more vulnerable to radicalisation and therefore we strive to equip our pupils with confidence, self-belief, respect and tolerance as well as setting high standards and expectations for themselves.

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.

Staff Training

Through INSET opportunities in school, we will ensure that our staff are fully aware of the threats, risks and vulnerabilities that are linked to radicalisation; are aware of the process of radicalisation and how this might be identified early on.

Policy Review

The Anti-Radicalisation policy statement will be reviewed annually as part of the overall Child Protection and Safeguarding policy review.