At St Peter’s CE Primary we are proud to promote inclusive values within our school and wider communities. Prevent is the government’s national strategy for ensuring that children in schools are protected against extreme ideas and beliefs.
What is Prevent Strategy?
Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes.
The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including the extreme right wing, violent Islamist groups and other causes such as extremist animal rights groups.
How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools?
From July 2015 all schools (as well as other organisations) have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism
This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views the same way we protect them from drugs or violence.
Importantly, we provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they better understand how to protect themselves. We develop the core skills of confidence, listening and critical thinking which all enable children to listen, think for themselves seeking advice when they are not sure. We also develop their self-esteem so they can clearly articulate and confidently represent themselves with their peers.
What does this mean in practice?
Many of the things we already do in school to help children become positive, happy members of society also contribute to the Prevent strategy.
These include:
We will also protect children from the risk of radicalisation, for example by using filters on the internet to make sure they cannot access extremist and terrorist material, or by vetting visitors who come into school to work with pupils.
Different Schools will carry out the Prevent duty in different ways, depending on the age of the children and the needs of the community.
Key Terms
Extremism – vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values such as democracy, the rule of law and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
Ideology – a set of beliefs
Terrorism – a violent action against people or property, designed to create fear and advance a political, religious or ideological cause.
Radicalisation – the process by which a person comes to support extremism and terrorism.
Frequently asked questions
How does prevent relate to British values?
Schools have been required to promote British Values since 2014, and this will continue to be part of our response to the Prevent Strategy
British Values include:
See our ‘Curriculum’ section for more information relating to this.
Isn’t my child too young to learn about extremism?
The Prevent strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself, which may not be appropriate for younger children. It is also about teaching children values such as honesty and respect.
The school will make sure any discussions are suitable for the age and maturity of the children involved.
Is extremism really a risk in our area?
Extremism can take many forms, including political and religious extremism. We will give children the skills to protect them from any extremist views they may encounter, now or later in their lives.
Where to go for more information
Contact the school if you have any questions or concerns about the Prevent strategy and what it means for your child.
External sources
The following sources may also be useful for further information:
Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales, HM government
www.gov.uk/government/publications/protecting-children-from-radicalisation-the-prevent-duty
Frequently asked questions – Prevent for Schools
http://www.preventforschools.org
What is Prevent? Let’s talk about it.
