What is the Prevent strategy?
Prevent is a government strategy intended to stop people becoming terrorists, or supporting terrorist/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 (and 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 outlooks the same way we protect them from drugs or violence.
Most importantly, we can provide a safe place for students to discuss these issues so that they can have a better understanding on how to protect themselves, now and in the future.
What does this mean in practice?
At Moat Farm we have a range of techniques we already have in place to teach our students to be safe from radicalisation, we teach them in the same way to be safe from gangs or exploitation.
Many of the things we already do in school to help students become positive, happy members of society also contribute to the Prevent strategy
These include:
- Learning about other religions, understanding different beliefs and encouraging diversity.
- Developing thinking skills and supporting students to have a positive self-identity.
- Learning how to resolve conflict peacefully, for example with a mediated discussion
- Challenging preconceptions and racial remarks
- Supporting SMSC development (spiritual, moral, social and cultural) besides promoting British Values and our own Moat Farm Junior Values.
We also protect students from radicalisation by using internet filters, so they can’t access extremist material, or by vetting visitors who come into school to work with pupils
Different schools will have different strategies on how to carry out the prevent duty, depending on the age of the students.
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:
- Equality
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty and mutual respect
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
Is my child too young to learn about extremism?
The Prevent strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself, which may not be suitable for younger children. It is also about teaching students our British and Moat Farm Values.
Moat Farm Junior School will make sure any discussions are appropriate for the age and maturity of the pupils involved.
Is extremism really a risk in our area?
Extremism can take many forms, including political and religious extremism. Some of these may be a bigger threat in our area than others.
We will give our students the skills to protect them from any extremist views they may face, now or later in their lives.
KEY TERMS:
- An 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 – Use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of creating fear for religious causes.
- Radicalisation – The process by which a person comes to support extremism and terrorism. support extremism and terrorism
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 us.
0121 552 1215
