The Introduction of the Prevent Duty into Schools and Colleges: Stories of Continuity and Change

Drawing on mixed methods research carried out with school and college staff during 2015 and 2016, this chapter provides insight into how the Prevent Duty ‘landed’ in schools and colleges during the first 18 months after its introduction in July 2015. The discussion centres on four key questions: 1) To what extent did staff express overall opposition to or support for the Prevent Duty? 2) To what extent was the Prevent Duty interpreted by staff in schools and colleges as a straightforward extension of existing safeguarding responsibilities? 3) To what extent did staff perceive the Duty to be exacerbating the stigmatisation of Muslim students? 4) To what extent did staff perceive the Duty to have a ‘chilling effect’ on classrooms and on student voices?