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 Islamist groups and other causes.

How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools?

All schools (as well as 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 views in the same way we protect them from drugs or gang violence. Importantly, we provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they better understand how to protect themselves.

Our Tackling Extremism and Radicalisation Policy provides more information on how we protect children, which may involve referring students and their families to Channel, a partnership approach providing a support package tailored to individual needs.

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.

What does this mean in practice?

Many of the things we already do in school to help children become positive, happy members of society also contribute to the Prevent strategy. These include:

  • exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity
  • challenging prejudices and racist comments
  • developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity
  • promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, as well as British values such as democracy which are part of the core values of all schools within the Seaton Valley Federation.
  • 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 and terrorist material, or by vetting visitors who come into school to work with pupils.

Isn’t my child too young to learn about extremism?

The Prevent strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself, which may not be appropriate for younger children. It is also about teaching children values such as tolerance and mutual respect. We will make sure any discussions are suitable for the age and maturity of the children involved.

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.

Where to go for more information

Prevent Safeguarding Information 

Prevent - Northumbria Police