PLEASE REFER TO THE ACADEMY'S SAFEGUARDING POLICY WHICH YOU CAN FIND IN THE POLICIES SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE.

Our Academy recognises that the safety and welfare of children is paramount and that we have a responsibility to protect children in all our Academy’s activities.  We understand that it is the responsibility of all staff and governors to safeguard children and young people. We take all reasonable steps to ensure, through appropriate procedures and training, that all children, irrespective of sex, age, disability, race, religion or belief, sexual identity or social status, are protected from abuse and kept safe.

We will seek to:

• Create a safe and welcoming environment where children can develop their skills, knowledge and confidence.
• Ensure we practice safe recruitment in checking suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children (in line with 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' DFE 2023)
• Ensure that any training or events are managed to the highest possible safety standards
• Review ways of working to incorporate best practice. Including policies being regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current best practice and Government expectations.
• Treat all children with respect regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity.
• Respond swiftly and appropriately to all complaints and concerns about poor practice or suspected or actual child abuse.
• Share information about concerns with agencies who need to know, involving parents and children appropriately

Training and Education:

Brookside staff undergo a regular and continuing programme of training to ensure that they are up to date with the latest issues with regards to safeguarding and child protection. This includes a yearly INSET dedicated to Safeguarding.

Safeguarding concerns

If you have any concerns regarding safeguarding at Brookside, please contact our above Safeguarding Leads. 
You can do this by email office@brooksideacademy.co.uk or by phone 01458 443340. 

If you need advice or support in relation to a safeguarding issue, or links to other support services, our local Secondary School Crispin has a good Support page linking to a large number of sites that can offer help and advice - You can find the link HERE

PREVENT
What is the Prevent strategy?

Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or
extremist causes. The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including the
extreme right or left wing, violent Islamist groups and other causes.

How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools?

All schools (as well as other organisations) have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and
extremism. This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views the
same way we protect them from drugs or gang violence.
Importantly, we can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they better understand
how to protect themselves.

What does this mean in practice?

Many of the things we already do in school to help children become positive, happy members of society
also contribute to the Prevent strategy.
These include:

• Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity
• Challenging prejudices and racist comments
• Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity
• Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, as well as British values such
  as democracy.

We will also protect children from the risk of radicalisation, for example by using filters on the internet
to make sure they can’t access extremist and terrorist material, or by vetting visitors who come into
school to work with pupils. We will carry out our Prevent duty in different ways, depending on the age
of the children and the needs of our community.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Prevent relate to British values?
Schools have been required to promote British values since 2014, and this will continue to be part of our
response to the Prevent strategy. British values include:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty and mutual respect
• Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

Isn’t my child too young to learn about extremism?

The Prevent strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself, which may not be appropriate for
younger children. It is also about teaching children values such as tolerance and mutual respect. Our
Academy will make sure any discussions are suitable for the age and maturity of the children involved.

Is extremism really a risk in our area?

Extremism can take many forms, including political, religious and misogynistic extremism. Some of these
may be a bigger threat in our area than others. We will give children the skills to protect them from any
extremist views they may encounter, now or later in their lives.

KEY TERMS
Extremism – vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values such as democracy, the rule of law
and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
Ideology – a set of beliefs
Terrorism – a violent action against people or property, designed to create fear and advance a political,
religious or ideological cause
Radicalisation – the process by which a person comes to support extremism and terrorism