Prevent Policy and Procedure
Express English College remains fully committed to maintaining a healthy, positive, and safe learning environment for both students and staff. This commitment caters for all individuals working, studying, or visiting the premises or accessing the college online. However, the policy and procedures are informed to protect young people under the age of 18 and vulnerable adults.
“Prevent” is a duty that must be undertaken by all UK schools and colleges as a result of section 26 of the Counterterrorism and Security Act of 2015. This act states that schools and colleges must pay “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.
Express English College follows its duty to “prevent” in the following ways:
EEC explicitly promotes, through its classes, learning materials, and activities, an understanding of, and empathy for, different cultures around the world, the many ways we all live, the varied belief systems we have across the globe, and our rich history of traditions and practices. We believe in promoting tolerance of all religions, values and ideas from around the world. Indeed, we strive for all persons in the college to heartily accept those people who may think, or behave, in ways different to themselves, as long as such thoughts or behaviors do not compromise the wellbeing of others.
Equally, EECs duty of care to all participants means that all individuals must be protected against potentially threatening, coercive, or otherwise radicalizing behavior, whether that behavior comprises words, actions, or other communication.
Therefore, all staff working with young people (and vulnerable adults), including teachers, management, welfare, and administrative staff, must be aware of “Prevent” training.
The aim of such training is to support staff in their protection of children and vulnerable adults from the risk of radicalisation. “Prevent” Training includes identifying those individuals who may be at risk, or who demonstrate signs that they may be at risk, of radicalisation. Staff are also trained to report any concerns they may have to appropriately qualified staff.
These are as follows:
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Ayub
Deputy Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Edward
What is “radicalisation”? Radicalisation is the act/process of encouraging or persuading someone to adopt radical, or extremist, views, including views of a different political, religious, sociological, or other, nature to those which they previously had. It can mean ‘changing’ a vulnerable person’s views or character, until they might be willing to commit terrorist actions or activities.
Staff are trained to identify the ways in which this process can happen, and the ways in which radical or extreme views can be expressed. Extremist thinking could include holding attitudes that discriminate against – or directly oppose – others’ religious or political beliefs, practices, gender, race/ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or even human rights. This may well include such fundamental values as democracy and the right to freedom of speech, or the right to practice any or no religion. Extremist thinking and activity may include extreme right-wing or left-wing thinking, white supremacism, islamophobia, homophobia, anti-Semitism and other concepts.
Radicalisation and extremist coercion are key aspects of bullying and harassment for the vulnerable individual concerned, and the expression of extremist views can be considered a key aspect of abusive behaviour (please see “Abusive Behaviour” policy). Also, it can lead to terrorist activity.
Reporting concerns to the above-named staff (Ayub or Edward), who will then contact any appropriate authorities (if necessary) can prevent possible terrorist activity, as well as protect the individuals concerned.
EEC not only intervenes in extremist thinking and (potential) actions, but promotes an opposing, healthier way of thinking, in classes, in college generally, and in activities. EEC teachers and activity leaders explore fundamental British or other democratic values through the use of engaging and up-to-date learning materials, tasks, and activities, whilst appreciating other ways of looking at the world.
EEC also aims to provide a safe, happy, open ‘space’, where all students can understand the risks associated with terrorism and radical thinking: teachers will also help students to challenge extremist thinking and activity if they must face it, and they must challenge it themselves.
All relevant staff are also trained, through “Prevent”, to be aware of material – visual, online, reading, or other – that highlights extremist ideologies or encourages terrorist activity. Parental controls for EEC internet access/Wi-Fi access are set to prevent access to extremist or terrorist websites and to block the use of social media networks to exchange extremist or terrorist views. Please refer to tp-link for more details.
EEC believes that open and honest discussions about radicalisation are important to emphasize openness and values of democracy and freedom of speech for all. This means that all cultures, views, and beliefs are welcomed, but that contrasting views and thoughts are, equally, welcomed.
If you require further information about radicalisation, please contact Ayub or Edward
Review: Reviewed December 2023 (EC). This document to be reviewed by the Management Team not less than every six months. Next review due June 2024. It will also be subject to any changes based on UK law.
