PREVENT is part of the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy. Its aim is to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
Prevent addresses all forms of terrorism but continues to prioritise according to the threat they pose to the country’s national security. Prevent involves the identification and referral of those susceptible to violent extremism into appropriate interventions. These interventions aim to divert the susceptible and vulnerable from embarking down the path to radicalisation.
From 1 July 2015, all schools are subject to a duty under Section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, in the exercise of their functions, to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This duty is known as The Prevent Duty (June 2015). As part of St Bede’s High School’s ongoing safeguarding and child protection duties, we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is as important as safeguarding against any other vulnerability.
All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British Values. We believe that our students should be given the opportunity to explore diversity and understand Britain as a multi-cultural society and that everyone should be treated with respect. As part of our on-going commitment to safeguarding and child protection, we fully support the Government’s Prevent Strategy. Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protecting-children-from-radicalisation-the-prevent-duty
As part of safeguarding responsibilities school staff are alert to:
- Pupils disclosing their exposure to extremist actions, materials or the views of others outside of school, such as in their homes or community groups, especially where pupils have not actively sought these out;
- Graffiti symbols, writing or art work promoting extremist messages or images;
- Pupils accessing extremist material online, including through social networking sites
- Parental reports of changes in behaviour, friendships or actions and requests for assistance;
- Partner schools, local authority services, and police reports of issues affecting pupils in other schools or settings;
- Pupils voicing opinions drawn from extremist ideologies and narratives;
- Use of extremist or ‘hate’ terms to exclude others or incite violence;
- Intolerance of difference, whether secular or religious or (in line with our equalities policy) views based on, but not exclusive to, gender, disability, homophobia, race, colour or culture;
- Attempts to impose extremist views or practices on others;
- Anti-British views.
At St Bede’s we are aware that young people may be exposed to extremist influences or prejudiced views from an early age, which can emanate from a variety of sources, including the media and internet. At times pupils may themselves reflect or display views that can be discriminatory, prejudiced or extremist, including using derogatory language. Any prejudice, discrimination or extremist views displayed by pupils or staff will need to be challenged and where appropriate dealt with in-line with school policies such as the Pupil Behaviour and Attendance Policy or the Staff Code of Conduct.
