Preventing radicalisation and extremism policy
Updated October 2021
The government’s Prevent strategy aims at reducing the threat to the UK by preventing people from becoming radicalised / developing extremist views. Educational institutions are required to have a written policy to this effect.
The Government has defined extremism in the Prevent strategy as: “Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces”.
CICD’s work is based on tolerance and respect for all people regardless of social background, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age or any other division distorting the fact that we are all human beings. These ethics pervade all our teaching. We encourage students to take a stand to big issues of our time, and also to be out and about to research movements in society, but all kinds of violence is abhorrent to us. Extremist practice with possible harm to innocent people can, of course, never be the way forward.
With staff and students living on site, CICD is a very close knit community. Our programmes challenge the whole person of a student – academically, practically and with regards to opinions and attitudes. A lot of discussions are going on, both in class and, more informally, around the dinner table. It is tempting to think that radicalisation could never take place at CICD, but we must never be complacent. The forces that encourage extremism are out there, encouraging people to follow them.
A risk assessment is in place and all senior staff and teachers have received training in spotting signs of radicalisation. If any signs of extremism is spotted among the students immediate action will be taken, and extremist views will be severely challenged. In extreme cases, the Police will be involved.
Staff training will be repeated, when deemed necessary.
