Since 2010, when the Government published the Prevent Strategy, there has been an awareness of the specific need to safeguard children, young people and families from violent extremism.  There have been several occasions both locally and 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.

St. Bernadette's values freedom of speech and the expression of beliefs/ideology as fundamental rights underpinning our society's values.  Both pupils and teachers 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.

St.Bernadette's is committed to providing a secure environment for pupils, where children and young people feel safe and are kept safe.  All adults at our school recognise that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility irrespective of the role they undertake or whether their role has direct contact or responsibility for children or not.

The Radicalisation and Extremism Policy is one element within our overall school arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children in line with our statutory duties set out at S157/S175 of the Education Act 2002.

All of our staff have taken a Prevent Course.

Below are some useful websites you may wish to have a look at.