Resources, guidance and support for schools and colleges to discuss violent disorder with students
Supporting schools and colleges after the Southport attack and widespread violent disorder
The horrific attack in Southport at the end of July, and the violent disorder in its aftermath, have caused grave concern across the country. Following the attack, rioting coordinated by right-wing extremists was initiated after the spread of misinformation about the perpetrator of the Southport attack. This resulted in violent, racist and Islamophobic attacks on our communities by extremists.
Schools and colleges have a critical role to play in safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. A vital part of this includes creating a safe, calm, and supportive environment for all pupils and that all children, no matter their faith or background, should feel safe at school or college.
Given the impact of what has happened, we know that you’ll want to discuss what has happened since July 29th with your learners once they return to school, and that it’s likely many students will want to discuss these issues with their classmates.
We have also published a blog from Joanna Fitzsimmons, Prevent Education Officer for Liverpool, detailing how school communities in Liverpool are responding to the Southport attack and widespread violent disorder.
Resources to help you in facilitating difficult conversations about extremism
Talking to young people about sensitive issues – like extremism – can be challenging, but it’s important to understand that you are not expected to know all the answers to the questions your learners might have, and that you won’t always know how to respond to comments and concerns about what has happened.
All schools must promote community cohesion and have specific duties to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of their pupils and to prepare them for the opportunities and responsibilities of adult life.
Our Let’s Discuss: Fundamental British Values (FBVs) and Let’s Discuss: Extreme Right-Wing resources can support you in facilitating difficult classroom conversations with your learners. Each Let’s Discuss pack can help you teach students about extremism and includes teacher guidance, a short video, and a slide pack that will help you start difficult discussions with young people.
Staying safe online
Riots have been fuelled by hateful views being circulated online; it’s important that young people know how to behave online, how to spot mis- and disinformation, and to understand what actions taken online constitute criminality.
We’ve recently added some new resources to Educate Against Hate including BBC Own It, the BBC’s resources on misinformation and the UK riots, and The Guardian Foundation that all focus on staying safe online and spotting mis- and disinformation. You may find it beneficial to use these resources with your learners to teach them about the importance of identifying the difference between fact and opinion.
We also teamed up with the London Grid for Learning to put together ‘Going Too Far’ – an interactive learning product that can be used in a classroom setting or by students on their own. The resource aims to help students understand extremism and how certain online behaviour may be illegal or dangerous. This resource for secondary school pupils aims to promote critical thinking and build resilience to extremism using recent case studies.
There are also a range of other resources available to schools on these topics, including:
Protective security guidance for education settings
The attack in Southport will also mean schools are reviewing the protective security of their premises. Education plays a vital role in preparing children and young people for life in a modern and diverse Britain and it’s important to ensure that all learners and education setting staff are safe from terrorism incidents and attacks.
Protective Security and Preparedness for Education Settings is non-statutory guidance published by the Department for Education and is aimed at all people working in education settings who have responsibilities for emergency responses, site security, communication and leadership. It is also for all those working across education settings who have responsibility for keeping learners safe, particularly those who are new to concepts of protective security and preparedness to help develop good preparedness and response plans.
You may also find the ACT for Youth and the ACT for Education e-learning useful.
- ACT for Youth is aimed at 11–16-year-olds, teaching them about the three recommended actions to take during a marauding terrorist attack – RUN, HIDE and TELL. The lesson plans use a film and activities to show students that, if caught up in an attack, they should RUN to safety, HIDE if they are unable to run, and TELL the police when safe.
It’s important that these lessons are not delivered as a ‘one off’ or in the immediate aftermath of an attack, as this is likely to raise feelings of anxiety for young people rather than provide reassurance.
- ACT for Education is aimed at those working in the education sector and can support you in understanding how to identify security vulnerabilities, responding to suspicious activity and items, and how to respond to a marauding attack.
We have also co-authored a blog with Joanna Fitzsimmons, Prevent Education Officer for Liverpool, who has written about her experiences in supporting the education sector in responding to the Southport attack and violent disorder.
Raising concerns
If you have concerns that a child or young person in your education setting is being radicalised, learn more about how to raise your concerns.
If you have concerns about extremism within an education setting in England, including allegations against institutions and staff, or adverse external influences on an education setting, you can report your concerns to the Department for Education
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