A safe space

Schools should be a safe space where students can discuss social and political issues, including extremism and terrorism. Building their resilience will put them in a stronger position to reject extremist views.

You can build students’ resilience to extremist narratives by equipping them with the skills and knowledge to explore political and social issues critically, to weigh evidence, debate and make reasoned arguments.

This can include facilitating conversations about extremism and radicalisation in an age-appropriate way, as well as other social and political issues.

Another way that you can build resilience in your students is by promoting fundamental British values of:

Democracy
Rule of law
Individual liberty
Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

The Department for Education has published advice on discussing fundamental British values as part of promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of your students.

In the national curriculum programmes of study there are already lots of opportunities to cover the Fundamental British Values. For example, the Citizenship programme of study prepares pupils to take their place in society as responsible citizens, while the History curriculum helps pupils to gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world including the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups.

There are many resources available on this website, including lesson plans and multi-media resources, that can help you address issues relating to extremism and radicalisation sensitively and in an engaging and age-appropriate manner.

This includes material on the strengths, advantages and challenges of democracy, and how democracy and the law works in Britain compared to the types of government in other countries.

You could also show democracy in action by introducing a school council whose members are voted for by the students, and hold mock elections to promote fundamental British values. This would provide students with the opportunity to learn how to argue and defend points of view.

It’s important to discuss issues around identity, difference and tolerance. Subject associations will be well placed to advise on engaging ways to promote British values and teach tolerance.

Our ‘Let’s Discuss’ classroom resources can help you plan and deliver lessons for secondary pupils around:

Resources

Debating Matters

Debating can enable young people to engage with a broad range of social, scientific and ethical issues facing society today. It can provide students with the opportunity to learn how to argue and defend points of view. Debating Matters provides guides and resources for setting up debate clubs in schools, together with details on the Institute of Ideas’ National Debating Matters Competition.

A note about our third-party resources

Third-party resources are those not created directly by the Educate Against Hate team, or by the Department for Education. All third-party resources hosted on Educate Against Hate have undergone a quality-assurance process, a due diligence assessment and content review before being added to the site, so you can have confidence that you’re using trusted, accurate, high-quality content.

You should use any resources on this website at your own discretion. When selecting resources and materials to use, schools may find it helpful to review guidance produced by the Department for Education on using external agencies.

Democracy Challenge

A 15-hour programme of creative activities for young people to develop awareness, skills and knowledge related to democracy and voting, thereby supporting the promotion of British values. It is likely to be most effective when used with young people whose engagement with politics and the democratic process is relatively low, but who have some interest in social and community issues and who care about making a positive change in their communities and beyond. The programme helps to make ideas about democracy accessible. Information and activities can be adapted so they are relevant and appropriate for each group of young people.

Extreme Dialogue

Through a series of hard-hitting films of real people affected by radicalisation, Extreme Dialogue enables teachers to show young people all the faces of extremism. It equips young people to challenge extremism, helping them navigate core themes and questions using films, educational resources and training. Videos are accompanied by interactive presentations (Prezis). The downloadable resources are all modular and are informed by more than 20 years of research and experience in managing global and community conflict. The seven true stories include a mother whose son died fighting in Syria and a former member of a far-right terrorist group. You will need to give your email address to Extreme Dialogue when downloading the below resources.

A note about our third-party resources

Robbie’s Story

Robbie’s Story, created by HOPE not Hate, centres around the case study of former far-right extremist Robbie Mullen. The teacher video and CPD session plan could be used for teacher training sessions to raise awareness of extreme right-wing issues and actions to take for concerns. HOPE not Hate is an advocacy group which campaigns against racism and fascism.

To access the video, fill in the short form on the HOPE not Hate website.

A note about our third-party resources

See all Resources

Common Questions

What support is available for discussing the violent disorder that followed the Southport attack?

How do I make a complaint about Prevent?

What is ‘fake news’, disinformation, and misinformation?

How can I teach students about sensitive topics like ongoing conflicts?

How does Educate Against Hate decide which resources to share?

What is Channel?

How do we define terrorism and extremism in the UK?

What are the warning signs of radicalisation?

Why is extremism and Prevent relevant to me as a teacher?

Which young people are vulnerable to radicalisation?

What is Prevent and what are my responsibilities as a teacher under the Prevent duty?

What training is available for the Prevent duty?

How can I build my students’ resilience to extremism and teach them about fundamental British values?

What should I do if I have a concern about a child?

Are there examples where Prevent has stopped a young person being radicalised?

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