Prevent Duty

Woodfall Primary School is committed to safeguarding, and promoting the welfare of all of our children and families. We recognise that in an ever changing and fast moving world it is essential that we promote children's well-being, confidence and resilience, and that we provide them with up to date and age-appropriate information and signpost them to places where they can find support, where necessary.

We see protecting our children from the risk of radicalisation as part of  our wider safeguarding duties, and that it is similar in nature to protecting students from other harms (e.g. drugs, gangs, cyber-bullying, neglect, and sexual exploitation), whether these come from within their family or are the product of outside influences. We acknowledge the PREVENT Duty and we have due regard to the need to prevent children and their families from being drawn into any illegal activity, including terrorism.

At Woodfall Primary School all staff are expected to uphold the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. These values are promoted through our values and ethos, the curriculum, citizenship, assembly themes and PHSE work.

All staff have undertaken the Prevent Duty accredited training. 'CHANNEL' is a key process within the Prevent strategy for assessing individuals’ vulnerability to being drawn into terrorism. It focuses on early intervention and diverting people away from risk.

For more information please download the documents below.

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What is the 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.

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 gang violence.

Importantly, we can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they better understand how to protect themselves.

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:

• 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

We will also protect children from the risk of radicalisation, for example by using filters on the internet to make sure they can’t 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.

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:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty and mutual respect
• Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

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.

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 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, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

See our policies

You will find more details about radicalisation in our Safeguarding Policy, available on our website.

We also have information about spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and British values.

External sources

The following sources may also be useful for further information:

Prevent duty guidance: for England and Wales, HM Government
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-prevent-duty-safeguarding-learners-vulnerable-to-radicalisation

What is Prevent? Let’s Talk About It
http://www.ltai.info/what-is-prevent/

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

Files to Download