June 2017

The know zone

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    Social media is meant to be fun and informative as well as a useful networking tool, but we should also be wise to its pitfalls. Here, Sally Jack provides top tips on managing your online reputation. More
  • Back to basic principles
    Revisiting some traditional leadership techniques could help ease the burden on business leaders when their time is under ever-increasing pressure, says Val Andrew. More
  • Where there’s a will…
    Making a will is something we all intend to do but we put off. Solicitor Frances McCarthy explains the importance of making a will before it’s too late. More
  • A path for primary
    Government proposals on primary assessment offer some potential solutions to flaws in the system, although challenges remain, says Julie McCulloch. More
  • Leaders' surgery
    Hotline advice expressed here, and in calls to us, is made in good faith to our members. Schools and colleges should always take formal HR or legal advice from their indemnified provider before acting. More
  • Action plans
    Curriculum and assessment reform, together with a new grading system, have put enormous pressure on leaders to ensure that their school or college communities understand the changes. Here ASCL members share their views on what steps they have taken to ensure that everyone is on board. More
  • A radical approach
    Extreme Dialogue is an education project that works to build resilience to radicalisation among young people through a series of free educational resources and highly engaging short films. More
  • Give us a clue!
    The new Progress 8 measures were meant to improve accountability but, according to one Deputy Head, schools have found them something of a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. More
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Extreme Dialogue is an education project that works to build resilience to radicalisation among young people through a series of free educational resources and highly engaging short films.

A radical approach

Young people are the principle recruits of extremist groups and victims of extremism, and education plays a critical role in undermining extremist ideologies and support for extremist groups.

More can be done to support schools, colleges and teachers when it comes to educating students about extremism. Extreme Dialogue is a unique way for schools and colleges to fulfil their statutory obligations or ‘Prevent Duty’, to protect children and young people from the risk of radicalisation.

Henry Tuck, Policy and Research Manager, Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), says:

“Only by discussing extremism openly can we ensure young people understand its corrosive impact, but understandably many educators don’t know where to start when bringing these potentially controversial discussions into the classroom. Extreme Dialogue provides a comprehensive range of resources, guidance and training to enable teachers to confidently and safely explore these issues and protect children from the risk of radicalisation.”

Free resources

Extreme Dialogue films explore prejudice and identity, and foster critical thinking and digital literacy skills. They include personal stories of those profoundly affected by extremism: a former member of the extreme far-right in Canada, a mother whose son was killed fighting for ISIS in Syria and a former member of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) whose father was killed by the IRA.

Each film is accompanied by a set of educational resources that include presentations, practitioners’ resource packs and a facilitator’s guide, which contain comprehensive learning objectives, teaching points and delivery instructions. They allow pupils to engage with and explore key themes around radicalisation, and encourage dialogue around alternative non-violent approaches to extremism and community cohesion.

The films and educational resources are intended for pupils aged 14–18 in classrooms or other community settings, but can be adapted for younger or older audiences.

CPD

The films and resources are also complemented by extensive training for education practitioners around how to use the materials with young people, in order to support and give them the confidence needed to enable debates about contentious subjects.

Alan Fraser, Assistant Headteacher, Cranford Community College, Hounslow, said:

“The combination of well-thought-out resources and practical training for staff ensures that teachers have the confidence to deliver the programme, and this combination is so good that it has enabled staff to train sixth form students to successfully and thoughtfully deliver the programme to younger students with confidence, sensitivity and appropriate challenge.”

Events

Extreme Dialogue is running a series of practitioners training sessions and delivery workshops for schools and others working with young people in the UK. Please email info@extremedialogue.org for further information

For more information about Extreme Dialogue and to view the films and resources, visit www.extremedialogue.org or email info@extremedialogue.org

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