This school believes that it is always unacceptable for a child to experience abuse of any kind. We recognise our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children. We will provide staff and volunteers with guidance to follow when they suspect a child may be experiencing abuse or are at risk of harm. We will work co-operatively with other agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with parents/carers first – unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.
Miss Saul is the Designated Safeguarding Lead who is responsible for ensuring the safety of both pupils and staff. The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Mrs Curtis, Mr Williams, Miss Hills, Mrs Jilks and Miss Jackson who support Miss Saul in these duties.
Throughout the academic year, we raise the profile of safeguarding and safer schools with assemblies on anti – bullying, LGBT, E-Safety, road safety, diversity, our school values and many more topics to ensure that pupils can keep themselves and others safe.
Pupils have Learning for Life/PSHE lessons each week to ensure they are taught the skills they need to live healthy and safe lives. We invite visitors in to work with our pupils, such as the local community policing team and Loudmouth, to deliver safety messages outside of normal lessons.
This policy has been developed in accordance with the principles established by the Children Acts 1989 and 2004; the Education Act 2002; and in line with government publications the Teachers’ Standards 2012, ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ 2018 and ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ September 2019.
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 political and religious extremism.
How does the Prevent Strategy apply to schools?
From July 2015 all schools (as well as other organisations) have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism.
This means schools have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views, in the same way we protect them from abuse, bullying and drugs.
Importantly, schools can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so that they better understand how to protect themselves.
How do we support the Prevent strategy at Ipsley?
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:
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. Different schools will carry out the Prevent duty in different ways, depending on the age of the children and the needs of the community. We will ensure that all conversations are suitable and age appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Prevent relate to British values?
Schools have been required to promote British values since 2014, and this will continue to be part of our response to the Prevent strategy. British values include:
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. The school 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 ideological 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.
Key Terms
Extremism – vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values such as democracy, the rule of law and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
Ideology – a set of beliefs
Terrorism – a violent action against people or property, designed to create fear and advance a political, religious or ideological cause
Radicalisation – the process by which a person comes to support extremism and terrorism
Where to go for more information
Contact the school
If you have any questions or concerns about the Prevent strategy and what it means for your child, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
See our policies
You will find more details about radicalisation in our safeguarding policy and our safeguarding against extremism policy available on our website. We also have information about spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and British values.
External sources
The following sources may also be useful for further information:
Advice to Parents and Carers
Keeping Children and Young People Safe against Radicalisation and Extremism
Revised prevent duty guidance for England and Wales, HM Government (Adobe pdf file
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/445977/3799
Frequently asked questions: Prevent For Schools
http://www.preventforschools.org/?category_id=40,
What is Prevent? Let’s Talk About It
http://www.ltai.info/what-is-prevent/
Assessment