Prevent

Meadows Primary School and Nursery is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. As a school we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability. All our staff uphold and promote 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.

What is the Prevent Duty?

On 1 July 2015 the Prevent Duty (section 26) of The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 came into force. This duty places the responsibility on local authorities to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. The duty:

Responds to the ideological challenge we face from terrorism and aspects of extremism, and the threat we face from those who promote these views.
Provides practical help to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support.
Works with a wide range of sectors (including education, criminal justice, faith, charities, online and health)
The new Prevent Duty, the Department for Education’s SMSC requirements, British Values Guidance and Ofsted’s inspection criteria all require schools to ensure students are aware of risks associated with extremism. We endeavour to do this through our broad and balanced curriculum.

What is radicalisation and extremism?

Radicalisation is defined as the act or process of making a person more radical or favouring of extreme or fundamental changes in political, economic or social conditions, institutions or habits of the mind.

Extremism is defined as the holding of extreme political or religious views.

As part of our commitment to safeguarding and child protection we fully support the government’s Prevent Strategy.

The role of the Curriculum

Our curriculum promotes respect, tolerance and diversity. Children are encouraged to share their views and recognise that they are entitled to have their own different beliefs which should not be used to influence others. By building resilience and self-esteem, children are encouraged to stand firm and be positive about others and not be influenced by negative peer pressure they may encounter. Through our curriculum, we enable children to think for themselves by providing valuable opportunities for discussing, debating, researching and questioning, set within the context of learning based on sound knowledge and understanding.

Our PSHE/SMSC provision is embedded across the curriculum and recognises that children with low aspirations are more vulnerable to radicalisation; therefore we strive to equip our pupils with confidence, self-belief, respect and tolerance as well as setting high standards and expectations for themselves. We actively promote knowledge, skills and understanding to build the resilience of learners. These complement the key “British Values” of tolerance, respect, democracy and freedom of speech.

Children are taught about how to stay safe when using the internet and are encouraged to recognise that people are not always who they say they are online. They are taught to seek adult help if they are upset or concerned about anything they read or see on the internet.

Children are supported in making good choices from a very young age, so they understand the impact and consequences of their actions on others.

In Religious Education, children learn about all major faiths and visit places of worship wherever possible.

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 (behaviour which contradicts any aspect of Equality Law)
Developing 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, extreme or terrorist material, or by vetting visitors who come into school to work with pupils.

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 simply 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.

Which type of extremism is most prevalent in Shropshire?

Approximately 80% (2020) of referrals to Channel in Telford & Wrekin are for Extreme Right-Wing groups. Far Right groups such as the English Defence League have been active recently in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. In respect of terrorism, Shropshire is assessed to be a low risk area, but there is a particular concern that vulnerable people may be at risk of radicalisation through the influence of others or via the internet, including ideas and issues around their identity. There are three broad types of extremist ideology – Islamist, right-wing and left-wing, anarchist and single-issue extremism.

Key Prevent Terminology:

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 extremist behaviour

Useful Websites and Information:

If you have any questions or concerns about the Prevent strategy and what it means for your child, please do not hesitate to contact our Designated Safeguarding Leader for Prevent - Mrs Sudesh Mejer.