Curious Minds

Challenging stories, opening minds

How can creative approaches to education develop young peoples’ ability to challenge extremist ideologies?

This was the question posed to Curious Minds by Lancashire Constabulary, when we were tasked with devising a series of innovative projects in six secondary schools across Lancashire earlier this year.

I have learnt that people have different beliefs and that people should be able to protest but without violence – it is important to have an open mind and listen to other points of view.
Pupil from Pendle Vale College

Curious Minds have been working with the participating schools to explore what extremism and the Prevent agenda means to them and why it is important for teachers and young people to talk about these issues in school. Each of the schools developed very different projects, working with experienced project managers and creative practitioners from a variety of artistic and creative backgrounds including film, theatre, sound art and visual art.

The end of the summer term saw pupils from all six schools coming together for a day at Lancashire Constabulary Headquarters to showcase and share the work they have been doing in response to the Government’s Preventing Violent Extremism agenda.

I used to think a terrorist was always Asian and had a beard, mainly because of the media. Now I’ve learnt that a terrorist can look like anyone, like you or me – anyone can be an extremist.
Pupil from Accrington Academy

The projects were designed to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to articulate, challenge and debate complex and often controversial ideas around extremism in a safe environment. They also gave young people the opportunity to learn about different cultures and faiths and to challenge stereotypes and prejudice, whilst providing good links with the wider national curriculum, supporting the delivery of subjects as diverse as Citizenship, Media Studies, English, Geography, Art and Religious Education.

All of the schools involved in this programme have developed really challenging and creative projects and have been brave in their approach to discussing controversial issues with pupils. Having experienced the quality of these young people’s work first hand and having taken part in some of the conversations they have had during the course of these projects, it is clear to me that we must recognise that young people have an absolutely vital role to play in opening up dialogue and in finding new ways of bringing people together to develop positive solutions in these challenging times.

Extremism is when one person or a group of people put terror into someone’s heart... extremists have strong beliefs and don’t take into account other people’s views... they often take matters into their own hands and kill innocent people.
Pupil from Pendle Vale College

It is hoped that the success of this years’ programme will lead to further project activity in more schools across Lancashire in the coming academic year. Above all, it is hoped that this body of work will continue to generate open debate across schools and their wider communities, raising awareness of the risks posed by violent extremist groups both locally and internationally and promoting legitimate protest whilst undermining all ideologies that promote violence.

Kate Hobson, Curious Minds

For more information about individual schools’ projects, you can download our publication 'The Art of Prevention' you can also preview the film below: