Providing staff training in line with the Prevent duty requirements is at the top of the agenda for many schools. Here are some key resources to help you remain compliant.

Tackling extremism and radicalisation in schools is a huge and, importantly, unfamiliar challenge for schools.

It’s been suggested that radicalisation should be dealt with in the same way as any other kind of abuse, in line with current safeguarding procedures already in place. Yet the Prevent duty and the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 do present significant new challenges for staff at all levels.

A number of schools have expressed their concerns to us about how they will comply with this legislation. To help, we’ve collated a number of resources to support our member schools to understand this duty and successfully prevent cases of extremism in school.

1. Governor update

This new requirement for schools is demanding. Your governing body needs to understand the implications of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 – and how to challenge and support their school as a result.

Ensure your governing body can hold the school to account and are compliant with the Prevent duty. Schools are expected to:

• assess risk
• work in partnership
• identify pupils at risk
• keep pupils safe online
• build pupil resilience
• promote British values.

Our ready-made Prevent governor briefing PowerPoint and reference guide, and use them during your next meeting to ensure that information is clearly conveyed to all stakeholders.

2. Update your SLT

It is now statutory for all schools to comply with the Prevent duty. It’s vital that you and all your colleagues are up-to-date with these changes, and how they impact all colleagues across your school community.

Senior teams are expected to:

• assess the risks of children being drawn into terrorism
• demonstrate a general understanding of the risks affecting children and young people in your area
• know what to do to identify and support individuals who may be at risk of radicalisation
• incorporate clear procedures for assessing risk of radicalisation within your existing safeguarding guidance.

This concise Prevent SLT briefing will ensure that every member of your senior team is clear on current obligations and how to meet them.

3. Be Ofsted compliant with the Prevent duty

Ofsted want to ensure everyone in your school knows about the Prevent duty and are confident in responding to concerns about extremism.

Abi Clay, who has over 30 years’ experience within the FE sector, has driven the Prevent agenda locally and nationally and has achieved outstanding recognition from Ofsted. To remain compliant with Ofsted Abi explains schools need to:

• demonstrate how they are training school staff
• show how the Prevent duty fits into the curriculum
• make it clear how to assess risk
• have key documents in place.

With our 30 minute webinar, ensure you are confident that you know what is required in the eyes of Ofsted, and how you can comply with those requirements.

4. Train school staff to recognise and respond to signs of radicalisation

Under the new Prevent duty, schools are required to ensure their staff are able to spot the signs of radicalisaton and deal with them appropriately. Ensure your staff know how to:

• assess risk
• identify pupils at risk
• report concerns.

This 1-hour training session was written by expert Abi Clay and will ensure your colleagues know how to assess risks in your school, identify students who are vulnerable to radicalisation and report concerns correctly.