Extremism & Radicalisation
Preventing Radicalisation and Extremism
At Christleton Primary School, safeguarding children from the risk of radicalisation is part of our wider responsibility to keep children safe.
Like other forms of safeguarding, our approach is based on early identification, appropriate support, strong relationships and a culture in which children feel safe to talk to trusted adults.
Under the Prevent duty, schools have a legal responsibility to have due regard to the need to prevent people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Prevent is a safeguarding responsibility and forms part of our established child-protection arrangements.
What do we mean by radicalisation and extremism?
Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to legitimise support for, or the use of, terrorist violence.
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 describes extremism as vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
It is important to recognise that holding strong views, taking an interest in politics or religion, criticising government policy or expressing lawful beliefs is not, in itself, evidence of radicalisation.
Our approach at Christleton Primary School
We aim to help children develop the knowledge, confidence and resilience they need to participate positively in modern Britain.
Through our curriculum, assemblies, relationships and wider school life, children are supported to:
- understand and respect democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs;
- appreciate and respect difference and diversity;
- develop positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging;
- learn how to disagree respectfully and listen to different points of view;
- develop critical-thinking skills and question information they encounter;
- recognise misinformation, manipulation and harmful online content;
- understand how to stay safe online;
- develop confidence and resilience;
- know how and when to seek help from a trusted adult; and
- understand that prejudice, hatred, discrimination and violence are unacceptable.
Our work is embedded within the wider curriculum, including Relationships and Health Education, Religious Education, PSHE, online safety, SMSC and opportunities for pupil voice and participation.
Online radicalisation
Children increasingly encounter information and other people through online platforms, games, social media and digital content.
The internet can expose individuals to extremist or terrorist material and can enable interaction with people or networks seeking to influence others. The current Prevent guidance therefore expects schools to consider online as well as offline risks when assessing the potential risk of radicalisation.
At Christleton, our work on Prevent therefore sits alongside our broader approach to online safety, filtering and monitoring, critical thinking and media literacy.
Identifying concerns
There is no single sign or profile that tells us that a child is being radicalised. Changes in behaviour need to be considered alongside the child's individual circumstances and other relevant information.
Staff receive appropriate safeguarding and Prevent training so that they understand potential indicators, know how to respond to concerns and know when to seek further advice.
Any concern about a child's welfare is treated as a safeguarding concern and should be shared promptly with the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or the Deputy DSL.
Where appropriate, the school may seek advice from safeguarding partners, the local authority Prevent team or other agencies. A referral to Prevent may be considered where there is concern that a child is susceptible to radicalisation.
Channel
Where additional support is appropriate, a child may be considered for Channel.
Channel is a voluntary and confidential multi-agency programme which provides support to people who may be susceptible to being drawn into terrorism. It is intended to provide early, proportionate support rather than to criminalise children or families.
Working with families
Parents and carers play an important role in helping children develop confidence, critical thinking and a sense of belonging.
If you are worried about something your child has seen online, a change in their behaviour, somebody who may be influencing them, or any other safeguarding concern, please contact the school.
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mr Mitchell
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs Hughes
Concerns will always be considered carefully and in the best interests of the child.
