Prevent
In 2010 the Government published the Prevent Strategy. Since then there has been an awareness of the specific need to safeguard children, young people and families from violent extremism.
There have been several occasions nationally in which extremist groups have attempted to radicalise vulnerable children and young people to hold extreme views including views justifying political, religious, sexist or racist violence, or to steer them into a rigid and narrow ideology that is intolerant of diversity and leaves them vulnerable to future radicalisation.
Three Towers values freedom of speech and the expression of beliefs and ideology as fundamental rights underpinning British Values. Both learners and staff have the right to speak freely and voice their opinions. However, freedom comes with responsibility and free speech that is designed to manipulate the vulnerable or that leads to violence and harm of others goes against the moral principles in which freedom of speech is valued. Free speech is not an unqualified privilege; it is subject to laws and policies governing equality, human rights, community safety and community cohesion.
The current threat from terrorism in the United Kingdom may include the exploitation of vulnerable people, to involve them in terrorism or in activity in support of terrorism. The normalisation of extreme views may also make children and young people vulnerable to future manipulation and exploitation. Three Towers is clear that this exploitation and radicalisation should be viewed as a safeguarding concern.
The governors, Headteacher and the Designated Safeguarding Leads regularly assess the level of risk within the school and put actions in place to reduce that risk.
