In 2011, the British Conservative government introduced a new counter-terrorism strategy to deal with non-violent extremism – Prevent. Following the furore over the Birmingham Trojan Horse affair in 2014 – a supposed plot to “Islamicise” schools – the Prevent strategy was ratcheted up. Public authorities such as schools, colleges, universities and health services were now required to monitor their pupils, students and clients for potential signs of radicalisation. 

Schools in England were required to teach “fundamental British values”, with the presumption of a deficit in values on the part of some ethnic minority citizens, especially British Muslims.