Prevent Strategy

Prevent Duty: preventing terrorism, extremism and radicalisation

What is the Prevent strategy?

Prevent is a government strategy to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes. It is the duty in the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 on specified authoritie, in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including political and religious extremism.

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 schools have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views, in the same way we protect them from drugs or gang violence.

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

What does this mean in practice?

Schools and childcare providers can also build students resilience to radicalization by promoting fundamental British Values, providing a safe environment for debating controversial issues and enabling them to challenge extremist views.

Different schools will carry out the Prevent duty in different ways, depending on the age of the children and the needs of the community.

Many of the things we already do in school to help children become positive, happy members of society also contribute to the Prevent strategy.

For example:

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
Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation, such as using filters on the internet or vetting visitors who come into school

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 the 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.

Schools should 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 ideological extremism. Some of these may be a bigger threat in our area than others.

The intention is to give children the skills to protect them from any extremist views they may encounter, now or later in their lives.

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 – an action that endangers or causes serious violence to a person/people, causes serious damage to property, or seriously interferes or disrupts an electronic system, and is intended to advance a political, religious or ideological cause

Radicalisation – the process by which a person comes to support extremism and terrorism

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.

External sources

The following sources may also be useful for further information:

Revised prevent duty guidance for England and Wales, HM Government click here

The Prevent duty: advice for schools and childcare providers, GOV.UK – DfE click here

What is Prevent?, Let’s Talk About It, click here

Educate against Hate Website click here

Counter extremism videos – Online safety http://counterextremism.lgfl.org.uk/theme_safety_parents.html