KCSIE 2026 Annex A, under "Preventing radicalisation", gives three definitions that schools use:
- Extremism: vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. The Working Together 2026 glossary uses the same definition from the Prevent strategy, and adds calls for the death of members of the armed forces.
- Radicalisation: the process of a person legitimising support for, or use of, terrorist violence, as defined in the Prevent duty guidance.
- Terrorism: an action that endangers or causes serious violence to people, causes serious damage to property, or seriously disrupts an electronic system, designed to influence the government or intimidate the public to advance a political, religious or ideological cause (Terrorism Act 2000).
There is no single profile of a child at risk of radicalisation. KCSIE asks staff to watch for changes in behaviour, use their judgement, act proportionately and pass concerns to the DSL, who may make a Prevent referral.
Online content is a big part of this. KCSIE paragraph 165 lists radicalisation and extremism among the "content" risks of online safety, and filtering and monitoring should help spot them. Radicalisation is also one of the extra-familial harms KCSIE paragraph 21 asks staff to consider.