Prevent

Prevent Strategy

Nothing is more important to us than the safety and welfare of our pupils.  We take rigorous steps to ensure that children stay safe and do not come to any harm.  We work closely with parents/carers and a range of professional agencies in order to secure this. Useful links for parents/carers: 

https://www.webwisekids.org/

Prevent is part of the Government’s strategy to address terrorism.  The main aim of Prevent is to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.  Prevent focuses on all forms of terrorist threats. 
 
How can you help?

It is important that we all work together, so that we can protect our communities. There are many ways you can help: Get in touch with your local neighbourhood or Prevent team for advice and support, if you are worried about someone you know who you believe may be vulnerable to radicalisation; You can speak to your local officers about helping run community events to bring people from different communities together; 
 
St Mary's Prevent Strategy

All schools are required by law to teach a broad and balanced curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral and cultural development of children and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life. We aim to protect children from harm and to ensure that they are taught in a way that is consistent with the law and British Values. To this end, it acts to: Raise Awareness Provide information Enable learners to make a positive contribution Safeguarding young people.      

Advice for Parent on Extremism and Radicalisation

At St Mary's, pupils participate in a curriculum that promotes active learning and questioning enables the pupils to explore social and emotional aspects of learning throughout the curriculum. We celebrate our own uniqueness and challenge prejudice of any kind. We are working in partnership with our Family of Catholic schools to further improve our work through SMSC. 
 
Extremism

Something which is clearly not part of any British or European value is extremism.  It is important to remember that whilst the threat from so-called Islamic State has been a focus in the Counter Terrorism and Security Act, the Prevent Duty is clear that extremism of all kinds should be tackled too.  In England, far right groups such a Britain First and the English Defence League need to be tackled too.  Extremism is not a new topic in education, but schools have a relatively new statutory duty to pay ‘’due to regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’’.

Read the government’s Prevent Duty Guidance and its Guidance for Schools

It could be a good way to prepare yourself when supporting your child in any difficult discussions.