Alverton Primary School – Prevent Statement
As part of our ongoing child protection and safeguarding duties we fully support the government's Prevent Strategy.
The Government has published guidance for authorities, including schools, on their responsibilities under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, which came into effect on 1 July 2015. Under the Act, schools and other authorities have a duty to “have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This duty is known as the Prevent Duty for Schools.
Alverton School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. As a school, we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is as important as safeguarding against any other vulnerability and, as part of our commitment to safeguarding and child protection, we fully support the Government's Prevent Strategy. All staff have had Prevent training and are fully aware of the procedures in school.
All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
We believe that children should be given the opportunity to explore diversity and understand Britain as a multi-cultural society. We base our approach on the principle that people should treat everyone with respect whatever their race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, special need or disability and promote a positive attitude to others with a focus on shared values, whilst developing a high regard for themselves. By building resilience and self-esteem and providing a safe learning environment, children are encouraged to be positive about others and not be influenced by negative peer pressure they may encounter. We build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling our pupils to challenge extremist views. You can read about how we promote British values in the British Values section of our website.
The statutory guidance refers to the importance of Prevent awareness training to equip staff to identify children at risk of being drawn into terrorism and to challenge extremist ideas. All staff have completed appropriate training to understand more about Prevent and how to deal with any issues they may see inside or outside school.
If you are concerned that a family member, friend, loved one or member of the community is expressing extreme views, hatred or could be being exploited by extremists, we can offer support and advice. Alternatively, please visit: https://actearly.uk/ .
Further information can be found in our Preventing Radicalisation Parent Guide and our Safeguarding Policy.
Martin Higgs, Headteacher, is the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for Prevent.
The Designated Prevent Governor for Alverton School is Anna George.
The Cornwall Prevent Lead is Steve Rowell who can be contacted on 01736 336587 or at steve.rowell@cornwall.gcsx.gov.uk or prevent@cornwall.gov.uk
Government advice site for parents http://educateagainsthate.com/parents/
Link to the official Prevent Strategy document https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/97976/prevent-strategy-review.pdf
Prevent Duty for Schools document https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/439598/prevent-duty-departmental-advice-v6.pdf