What is the Prevent strategy?

Prevent is part of the Government’s approach to safeguarding people from terrorism. It aims to prevent people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

At St Robert Bellarmine Catholic Primary School, we recognise that protecting children from the risk of radicalisation is an important part of our wider safeguarding responsibilities.

How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools?

Schools have a legal duty to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. This is known as the Prevent duty.

Just as we safeguard children from other risks, we have a responsibility to help protect them from radicalisation and harmful extremist influences.

As a Catholic primary school, our approach is rooted in our commitment to the dignity and worth of every person. We aim to provide a safe, caring and supportive environment where pupils learn to respect others, make positive choices and develop the confidence to challenge prejudice and harmful ideas.

What does this mean in practice?

Many of the things we already do at St Robert Bellarmine Catholic Primary School to help our children grow into happy, responsible and compassionate members of society also support our Prevent responsibilities.

These include:

• Promoting respect, kindness, compassion and the dignity of every person

• Exploring different cultures, religions and beliefs and celebrating diversity

• Challenging prejudice, discrimination and racist or hateful language

• Helping children develop critical-thinking skills

• Teaching children how to stay safe online

• Supporting children to develop a strong and positive sense of identity

• Providing opportunities for pupils to express their views and listen respectfully to others

• Promoting pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development

• Promoting the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

We also take practical steps to protect children from the risk of radicalisation. These form part of our established safeguarding procedures and include appropriate internet filtering and monitoring, staff training, and suitable checks and procedures for visitors to the school.

Our response is always appropriate to the age and needs of our pupils.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Prevent relate to British values?

Schools are expected to actively promote the fundamental British values of:

• Democracy

• The rule of law

• Individual liberty

• Mutual respect

• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

At St Robert Bellarmine Catholic Primary School, these values complement our Catholic ethos and our commitment to helping children understand their responsibilities towards one another and the wider community.

Isn't my child too young to learn about terrorism and extremism?

Prevent in a primary school does not mean exposing young children to frightening or inappropriate material.

For younger children, much of this work is about developing the values, knowledge and skills that help keep them safe. This includes learning about respect, tolerance, kindness, healthy relationships, online safety and how to ask a trusted adult for help.

Any discussions about sensitive issues will be carefully considered and appropriate to the children's age and maturity.

Is radicalisation really a risk in our area?

Radicalisation can affect individuals in different communities and can involve a range of political, religious or ideological influences.

Our responsibility is not to suggest that any particular community, faith or group presents a risk. Instead, we aim to equip all our pupils with the knowledge, confidence and critical-thinking skills they need to recognise harmful influences, stay safe and seek help when necessary.

What should I do if I have a concern?

If you have any questions about Prevent or are concerned about something that may be affecting your child, please contact St Robert Bellarmine Catholic Primary School.

Safeguarding concerns should be shared with the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or a member of the safeguarding team.

Please see the Safeguarding section of our school website for current contact details and further information.

Further Information

Parents and carers can find current national guidance about Prevent on the GOV.UK website, including:

• Prevent duty guidance

• Guidance for schools and childcare providers

• Information about safeguarding people from radicalisation

• Information about how concerns can be raised

Key Terms

Extremism – The promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance that aims to negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others, undermine or overturn the UK's system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights, or intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve those aims.

Ideology – A set of ideas, beliefs or values, particularly those associated with a group or political system.

Terrorism – The use or threat of serious violence or other specified serious actions, where the circumstances meet the definition set out in UK terrorism legislation.

Radicalisation – The process through which a person comes to support or be involved in terrorist ideologies or terrorism.