The Prevent Strategy is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism in all its forms.
The Prevent Duty
The Prevent duty requires all schools to “have due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism”, under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. The duty covers all types of extremism, whether political, religious or ideological.
What does it mean for our school?
As a school we protect our pupils from the risk of radicalisation through our wider safeguarding duties and our duty to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils. We do the following:
- Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity.
- Challenging prejudices and racist comments.
- Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity.
- Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, as well as British values such as democracy.
- Make sure that school is a safe space for pupils to discuss sensitive topics, including terrorism and extremism
- We have robust safeguarding procedures to identify children at risk
- We engage with Knowsley Local Authority to determine the potential risk of individuals being drawn into terrorism in the local area
- We have measures in place to protect pupils from harmful online content, which includes appropriate filtering and monitoring systems
- Our staff receive training to help them identify pupils at risk, challenge extremist ideas, and know how to act if they have a concern
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 tolerance and mutual respect. This is what we will focus on at Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School.
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, religious and misogynistic extremism. Some of these may be a bigger threat in our area than others.
We will endeavour to give children the skills to protect them from any extremist views they may encounter, now or later in their lives.
Information on the Prevent Strategy and the Government Link to report terrorism are below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance
https://www.gov.uk/report-terrorism
Report online
You can report online material promoting terrorism or extremism on the Government website. Click the red button below.
