Prevent
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.
All schools have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremist views. We record and respond to concerns about any child who is at risk of radicalisation, regardless of their background. We also take steps to help prevent children being exposed to extremist ideas. It is important that all children feel safe in school and that they are able to express tolerance towards all cultures and religions, even when personal views may be different.
What does this mean in practice?
Many of the things we do in Filton Avenue Primary School help children to become positive, happy members of society and, 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
– Teaching British values:
- Democracy
- The rule of law,
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
At Filton Avenue we also believe that this work extends to supporting children’s thinking skills so that they grow up without developing extreme views. As an educational setting, we can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss issues and challenging views, so they better understand how to respond to issues and protect themselves. The Prevent strategy is not simply about discussing extremism itself, which may not be appropriate for younger children; it is also about teaching children important values such as tolerance and mutual respect. The school will always make sure any discussions are suitable for the age and maturity of the children involved.
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.
We work very closely with other agencies such as Social Care and the Police so that if we feel a child is in danger of radicalisation, we can act very quickly.
What should I do if I have a concern?
If you have any reason to worry that a child you know is in danger of being exposed to extremist views, then please tell Mrs Stefanini or another Designated Safeguarding Lead. If you don’t want to speak to a member of school staff, then you can ring the Police on 101. Your call will be handled confidentially.
If you want to know more about the Prevent strategy then Mrs Stefanini will be happy to speak to you. Alternatively, these links provide useful information:
Prevent Risk Assessment – FAPS
https://www.educateagainsthate.com/parents/?filter=safeguarding-advice-and-support
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.
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 extremist behaviour
