General Article Anti-radicalisation policies proposed for school classes

Topic Selected: Terrorism
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By Margaret Holness, Education Correspondent

 

Front-line schools, including church schools in ethnically mixed urban conurbations, are likely to be those most affected by the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill, introduced into Parliament on Wednesday.

The Bill will place a statutory duty on schools, colleges, and universities to put in place anti-radicalisation policies and ban visits from extremist speakers. Similar provisions will apply to prisons and local councils. The Bill has all-party support, and is likely to become law by Christmas.

Commenting on the implications of the Bill for schools, the Church of England’s chief education officer, the Revd Nigel Genders, said: ‘We need to take the threat of terrorism very seriously, and we are committed to being part of the solution.

‘But if schools are to be held to account, they need very clear advice about how they can prevent young people being drawn into terrorism. We don’t want just to prevent the development of extremist views...

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