Safeguarding

All adults at the Academy play a vital role in protecting young people from extremist groups or individuals who deliberately try to radicalise or recruit them using the internet and social media. Furthermore, the Academy is dedicated to serving the local and national community by promoting the fundamental rights and values that characterise British society.

The Academy provides a safe environment in which students can discuss issues such as extremism and terrorism in an age-appropriate and balanced way. Examples include lessons on extremism and radicalisation in ‘lifelong learning’, discussions of extremist views expressed in ‘Animal Farm’ during English literature lessons and learning about terrorism and democracy during history lessons. Opportunities to debate stereotyping, propaganda, online safety and freedom of speech can be found across the curriculum.

All students at the academy are taught to participate in and value democracy. There is an active, elected school parliament who run, amongst other things, weekly tutor groups discussions on issues that affect the whole academy. We hold regular ‘mock’ elections to coincide with national elections and have recently had fantastic turn outs for a mock ‘Brexit’ referendum and a mock general election.

The Academy’s internet filtering system effectively prevents students from accessing dangerous websites and students receive regular lessons and assemblies on e-safety. All teaching staff have completed the Metropolitan Police’s online ‘Channel’ training to help them spot students in danger of radicalisation and new staff receive training in their safeguarding duties. The academy works closely with the local police and Children’s Services to offer support to any students identified as being at risk .