The John Fisher School is committed to providing a secure environment. All adults recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
We continue to ensure that all of our support and approaches give our students a positive sense of identity through the continued development of our PSHE programme. We continue to develop strategies and develop our staff in order that they are equipped to recognise extremism and radicalisation and are confident to challenge it. We will continue to address specific issues so we become even more aware of the current issues around extremism and radicalisation.
The John Fisher School uses the following accepted Governmental definition of extremism which is:
‘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; and/or calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas’.
There is no place for extremist views of any kind in our school. Our students are encouraged to and are welcome to explore controversial issues during lessons and form time. We recognise that exposure to extremist materials and influences can lead to poor outcomes for students and so should be addressed as safeguarding issues. Staff can report safeguarding issues to either their Line Manager or the Headteacher. Students and parents/carers can report safeguarding matters to either Mr D.Mawer (Designated Safeguarding Lead) or a member of the Safeguarding Team (please see poster below). We recognise that if we fail to challenge extremist views then we are failing to protect our students in our duty of care.
As part of wider safeguarding responsibilities our staff will be alert to:
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Disclosures by students of their exposure to the extremist actions, views or materials of others outside of school.
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Students accessing extremist material online, including through social networking sites.
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Parent/Carer reports of changes in behaviour, friendship or actions and requests for assistance.
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Students voicing opinions drawn from extremist ideologies.
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Intolerance of difference, whether secular, religious or views based on, but not exclusive to, gender, disability, homophobia, race, colour or culture.
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Attempts to impose extremist views or practices on others.
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Anti-Western or Anti-British views.
We work with local partners, families and communities in our efforts to ensure our school embraces our local context and values challenging extremist views. We will help support students who may be vulnerable to such influences as part of our wider safeguarding responsibility.
At The John Fisher School we encourage the use of external agencies and speakers to enrich the opportunities for our students. We will positively vet those external agencies and speakers who we consider could add to the learning experiences for our students. The John Fisher School engages actively with the ‘Prevent’ strategy which includes links to resources for schools in the tri-borough area (Sutton, Croydon, Merton).
Our school ethos is to encourage students to understand opposing views and ideologies, appropriate to their age, understanding and abilities, and to be able to actively engage with them in informed debate.
Please refer to our safeguarding policy for the full procedural framework on our safeguarding duties. Our staff members are aware of the fact that extremism and radicalisation are safeguarding issues.
As a values led institution, The John Fisher School actively promotes fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect of those with different faiths and beliefs.
We prepare students for life in modern Britain through:
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including in suitable parts of our curriculum the advantages and disadvantages of democracy, and how democracy and the law works in Britain.
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ensuring our students have a voice through our active School Council.
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providing opportunities (for example, mock elections) to promote fundamental British values.
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helping students understand a range of faiths.