The STEP Academy Trust and Burfield Academy is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils.
Every member of staff recognises that safeguarding against radicalisation and extremism is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability in today’s society. All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Our curriculum is broad and balanced and promotes the spiritual, moral and cultural development of pupils, alongside the teaching of respect, tolerance and diversity which prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life. Our children are encouraged to express themselves and share their views through discussions, debates and consultations. They recognise that they are entitled to have their own different beliefs which should not be used to influence others. Extremism can be tackled, for example, through RE lessons. Pupils are encouraged to ask and answer questions and not to be afraid to touch on controversial issues. STEP teachers should have the necessary up-to-date and relevant knowledge that enables them to give our pupils the material to help them formulate their own ideas, but also to counter stereotyping and prejudiced views.
We will ensure that all of our teaching approaches help our pupils build resilience to extremism and radicalisation and give pupils a positive sense of identity through the development of critical thinking skills, by facilitating a ‘safe space’ for dialogue. We will ensure that all of our staff are equipped to recognise extremism and are skilled and confident enough to challenge it. Our RE, RRS (Rights Respecting), PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education), Citizenship and SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) provision is embedded across the curriculum (including in our assemblies) and underpins the ethos of each Academy. STEP children learn about other faiths and visit places of worship and are regularly taught about how to stay safe when using the Internet and are encouraged to recognise that people are not always who they say they are online.