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 religious groups and other causes. 

How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools? 

All schools have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism.  This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views in the same way we protect them from drugs, gang violence or county lines. 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? 

There are many things that we already do in school which help to prepare children for their future lives and to enable them to live life in all its fullness. 

These include: 

  • Providing a safe environment in which controversial issues can be discussed  
  • Building our pupils’ resilience and self-esteem to enable them to challenge extremist views.  
  • Promoting and teaching important values such as tolerance, respect and the celebrating diversity  
  • Exploring other cultures and religions  
  • Challenging prejudices and derogatory comments  
  • Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils 
  • Raising awareness of British values which include:

                                                                  Democracy 

                                                                  The rule of law 

                                                                  Individual Liberty 

                                                                 Mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs  

How can families support this? 

  • Know where and who your child is with 
  • Keep communication open, listen to your child and talk to them about their interests 
  • Talk to them about what they see on TV or on the internet, 
  • Allow and encourage debate and questions about the world 
  • Allow and encourage debate about the media and does it show a true reflection 
  • Follow safe internet practices at home by regularly reviewing parental controls and the sites and material your child is accessing.  

 Staff training 

All Westfield Primary Community School staff members are aware of their responsibilities under the Prevent duty and have undergone Channel Prevent Duty online training (renewed annually). We ensure all relevant policies comply with the Prevent duty. 

Further information

https://educateagainsthate.com/parents/ 

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation