Teachers confident about anti-terror duty but fear it singles out muslims

The first study into teachers’ experiences with the Prevent strategy - a duty which requires schools (and other authorities) to refer any concerns of radicalisation, has been conducted.

It found that, in general, there was no opposition to Prevent and that staff understand it is part of their safeguarding duties and feel confident about reporting any concerns.

However, the study did find concerns about the negative impact it could have on Muslim students. The study said: "We found widespread - and in some cases very acute - concerns about increased stigmatisation of Muslim students.”

It also raised concerns of the requirement to call traits such as tolerance and democracy as "British values". The report said: “We found widespread discomfort and uncertainty around the focus on the specifically British nature and content of these values."

The study also highlighted that some respondents found the duty counter productive, as it might lead to Muslim students withdrawing from sharing concerns and questions with staff due to feelings that they are being singled out.

The research involved 70 education staff across 14 schools and colleges in West Yorkshire and London and a further 225 who took part in a national survey.

It was conducted by Coventry, Huddersfield and Durham universities.