British Values

Promoting British Values

The Prevention of Radicalisation and Extremism

The Prevent agenda published by the Government in 2011 is part of an overall counter-terrorism strategy. The aim of the Prevent strategy is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. The Act has been expressed as the need to ‘prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’.

The Prevent strategy has three specific strategic objectives:

responds to the ideological challenge we face from terrorism and aspects of extremism, and the threat we face from those who promote these views

provides practical help to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support

works with a wide range of sectors (including education, criminal justice, faith, charities, online and health)

Since the ‘Education and Inspections Act 2006’ schools have a duty to promote community cohesion. Over the last few years global events have led to a growth of extremist viewpoints, including advocacy of violent extremism. Schools have an important part to play in both educating children and young people about extremism and recognising when pupils start to become radicalised. In March 2015 new statutory duties were placed on schools by the ‘Counter Terrorism and Security Act,’ (2015) which means they must aim to prevent children being drawn into extremism. Safeguarding our pupils at Fairfield from all risks of harm is an important part of our role, and protecting them from extremism is one aspect of that.

In 2015 the Prevent Duty (section 26) of The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 came into force. This duty places the responsibility on local authorities to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

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

The Role of the Curriculum

The Prevent Duty, the Department for Education’s SMSC requirement, British Values Guidance and OFSTED’s inspection criteria require schools to ensure pupils are aware of risks associated with extremism. At Fairfield we endeavour to do this through our broad, balanced and personalised curriculum.

Our curriculum promotes respect, tolerance and diversity. Our pupils (where appropriate) are encouraged to share their views and recognise what they are entitled to have their own beliefs, which should not be used to influence others. By building resilience and self esteem, our pupils are encouraged to be positive and not to be influenced by any negative pressure. We encourage our pupils to be independent and to share their thoughts and ideas. At Fairfield School we actively promote knowledge, skills and understanding to build the resilience of our pupils (where appropriate). These complement the key British Vales of tolerance, respect, democracy and freedom of speech.

Pupils 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
Pupils are supported in making choices so they understand the impact and consequences of their actions on others.
Pupils learn about different faiths and visit places of worship wherever possible.

The links below provide further information about the Prevent Strategy and British Values

All maintained schools must meet the requirements set out in section 78 of the Education Act 2002 and promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of their pupils. Through ensuring pupils’ SMSC development, schools can also demonstrate they are actively promoting fundamental British values.

At Fairfield School through the delivery of our curriculum and Planning for SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual and cultural) development we:

Include in suitable parts of the curriculum, as appropriate for the age and understanding of our pupils:

British (Democratic) values. These values are our aims which we keep at the heart of everything we do and are evident in every relationship we have throughout the day.

The key word is the human value of respect. We all have a right to be respected and a responsibility to respect each other.
Democracy - We believe in being a strong team – having a sense of belonging to that team - working together to make sure everyone’s needs are met. We teach about friendship, sharing and being part of a group in every learning session.
We ensure all pupils have a voice that is listened to. We demonstrate how democracy works by promoting democratic processes such as school council, and the Trust Parliament.
Rule of Law within the classroom, out of the classroom and when out in the community. We have clarity around codes of conduct and behaviour so that the whole school community takes responsibility for knowing what is acceptable. Rewarding positive behaviour enables pupils to know what is appropriate.
Liberty and Mutual Respect – we develop communication skills and nurture the right of all pupils to make choices in what they do and express themselves. We create opportunities to learn and allow independence to flourish. Pupil voice is evident in the work of every child.
Re enforcing the rules of good classroom and whole school etiquette.

We enjoy learning about and sharing in the celebrations of the different religious faiths in the world and the values they teach, including humanitarian values such as those around equality.

We are passionate about the fact that at Fairfield we have the child’s interests at heart in everything we do.

And we are committed to working practices which support and reflect this.