Prevent Duty at St Mary’s CE Junior School
At St Mary’s CE Junior School, we are committed to safeguarding our pupils and promoting their welfare in every aspect of school life. As part of our statutory responsibilities, we actively uphold the Prevent Duty, which requires schools to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
The updated Prevent Duty guidance (2023) places emphasis on tackling the ideological causes of terrorism, reducing exposure to radicalising influences and building resilience in children through education and safeguarding. We aim to embed this guidance within our whole-school ethos.
Our Whole-School Approach to Prevent
We believe that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against other forms of harm. Our approach includes:
- Living our core value of Love, ensuring that every child feels safe, respected and valued. We treat others as we would wish to be treated.
- Staff training on Prevent, extremism, hate crime, online safety and critical thinking. This includes e-learning modules and whole-school safeguarding discussions/quizzes. Those with dedicated Prevent roles (Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher receive more in-depth training
- Curriculum integration through PSHE, RE, Citizenship, and other subjects, helping pupils explore identity, tolerance, and respectful debate.
- Online safety education through our computing curriculum, equipping pupils to stay safe and think critically about what they encounter online.
- Creating a safe space for discussion, where pupils can explore controversial topics in a respectful and informed way.
- Promoting pupil voice through a rights-respecting environment that encourages participation and decision-making.
- Monitoring and reviewing behaviour and safeguarding records, including any incidents of hate crime or bullying, to ensure early intervention and support.
- Ensuring our RE curriculum follows the Hampshire Living Difference programme, promoting understanding and respect for different beliefs.