The School’s Implementation of the ‘Prevent Duty’ July 2017

 

WHAT IS THE PREVENT DUTY: ‘Prevent’ relates to the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 which came into force on 1 July 2015. Since July 1 2015 there has been a duty on schools to have ‘due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’. This is called the Prevent duty.

Schools are expected to encourage pupils to respect other people with particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010 (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation).

Schools can build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling them to challenge extremist views. As with all forms of safeguarding, adults should use their professional judgement in identifying an individual who may be at risk of radicalisation.

WHAT IS RADICALISATION: “Radicalisation” refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism leading to terrorism. During that process it is possible to intervene to prevent vulnerable people being drawn into terrorist-related activity.

WHAT IS EXTREMISM: ‘Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs’. Being drawn into terrorism includes not only violent extremism but also non-violent extremism.

WHAT ARE BRITISH VALUES: ‘Democracy, the rule of law, equality of opportunity, freedom of speech and the rights for all men and women to live free from persecution of any kind’.

WHAT ARE OUR PROCEDURES: The school has clear procedures in place to safeguard children that includes protecting children at risk of radicalisation. These procedures are set out in the Preventing Radicalisation Policy and embedded within existing safeguarding policies. All staff are aware of the school’s policies and procedures and follow these for any aspect of safeguarding, including extremist views/extremism.

As with any form of safeguarding if a member of staff, parent or community member has any concerns about a child in the first instance they should inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead Mrs Amanda Somerwill or the Deputy Safeguarding Leads, Jo Baxter (Kenton), Jo Tetlow (Kenn) in order that any individuals who are at risk receives support for any personal vulnerabilities.

Further information on Preventing Radicalisation’ has been included in Keeping Children Safe in Education in line with:

Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales, published in March 2015 as part as the UK’s Counter Terrorism strategy. (p.10-15 for schools, registered childcare providers and further education).