A third of counter terrorism referrals came from the education sector in 2015

A third of referrals made under the government’s ‘Prevent’ counter terrorism strategy came from the education sector in 2015, according to figures released by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).

Analysis of the figures by the Guardian found that of the 3,994 people referred through the strategy, 1,319 came from teachers and other educators.

Introduced in July 2015, Prevent places a legal duty on schools to prevent pupils from being drawn into extremism and report suspected cases of radicalisation. The plans have faced heavy criticism, with education experts warning that teachers have not been given adequate training, which has resulted in many pupils being unnecessarily referred.

Additionally, concerns have been raised that the new duty is limiting free discussion in classrooms and making certain pupils feel they are being unfairly monitored.

Speaking to the Guardian, Rashad Ali, resident senior fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, said: “The level of training is not consistent, and the level of understanding isn’t consistent. Some disparity is inevitable because we are dealing with something that’s quite subjective. Also, this is a new safeguarding area, therefore there may well be a slightly higher levels of referrals than is normal.”

A government spokesperson said: “This government is committed to protecting children and young people from the risks of extremism and radicalisation. The Prevent Duty is entirely consistent with schools’ existing responsibilities, and good schools will already have been safeguarding children from extremism and promoting fundamental British values long before the duty came into force.

“School staff should use their professional judgment in identifying children who might be at risk of radicalisation and act proportionately. We have published guidance on the Prevent Duty and made a wide range of advice and materials available to the sector through our Educate Against Hate website.”