The Prevent Strategy

At St. Patrick and St. Edmund’s, we are committed to keeping our children safe—not just in school, but in the wider world too. As part of this, we follow the Prevent Strategy, which is a government initiative designed to protect individuals from being drawn into extremism or radicalisation. We understand that parents may have questions about what this means in practice, so we have provided some key information below.

What is the Prevent Strategy?

The Prevent Strategy is part of the government’s counter-terrorism approach. Its aim is to stop people from being drawn into extremist views that could lead to harm. Prevent focuses on early intervention and safeguarding, ensuring that people receive the right support before any risk develops.

Why is This Important for Schools?

Since July 2015, all schools have had a legal duty to safeguard young people from radicalisation and extremism. This means that, just as we protect children from other dangers like drugs or online threats, we also have a responsibility to protect them from exposure to extremist and violent views.

Importantly, we provide a safe space where pupils can ask questions, discuss concerns, and learn how to protect themselves from harmful influences. By encouraging open conversations in a secure and age-appropriate way, we help children build resilience and critical thinking skills.

How Does Prevent Relate to Our School?

Schools play a key role in protecting children from risks of all kinds, including extremism. As part of our safeguarding duties, we:

Teach children about tolerance, respect, and critical thinking
Encourage open discussions about different viewpoints in a safe environment
Help children to understand and uphold British values (democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect for all)
Train staff to recognise any concerns and offer appropriate support if needed

Is My Child at Risk?

It is very rare for primary-aged children to be directly affected by extremism, but young people can be vulnerable to negative influences, especially online. Our role is to ensure children develop the skills to think critically, respect others, and make safe choices.

Is My Child Too Young to Learn About Prevent?

At St. Patrick and St. Edmund’s, we do not teach children about extremism in a way that would frighten or worry them. Instead, we focus on age-appropriate topics such as:

Respecting others and celebrating different cultures and beliefs
Recognising right from wrong and making good choices
Staying safe online and knowing who to talk to if something doesn’t feel right

How Does This Relate to British Values?

The Prevent Strategy aligns with the British values that we promote throughout our curriculum, including:

Democracy – understanding fairness, voting, and having a voice
The Rule of Law – learning why rules and laws are important
Individual Liberty – knowing our rights and responsibilities
Mutual Respect and Tolerance – valuing others, even if their views are different from our own

By reinforcing these values, we are helping to prepare children for life in modern Britain, ensuring they grow up to be respectful and responsible members of society.

Is Extremism Really a Risk in Our Area?

While serious risks may be rare, no community is completely immune. Extremism can take many forms and can affect people from all backgrounds. Our focus is on prevention, ensuring that children develop the skills and understanding they need to stay safe, question information responsibly, and respect others.

Where Can I Find More Information?

If you have any concerns or would like to learn more about the Prevent Strategy and how it applies to our school, please feel free to contact us. You can also visit the government’s official Prevent guidance at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance.

At St. Patrick and St. Edmund’s, safeguarding is our top priority, and we are always here to support our pupils and families.