PREVENT
The PREVENT Duty at St Mary’s Catholic Academy
At St Mary’s Catholic Academy, safeguarding and the well-being of every child is central to our mission, rooted in Gospel values of love, respect, and care for all. This page is designed to help parents understand the PREVENT duty placed upon schools and how we fulfil this responsibility as part of our commitment to keeping children safe.
You’ll find further updates in our newsletters throughout the year. At St Mary’s, the PREVENT approach is woven into our curriculum, culture, and daily practice. We see it as an essential part of promoting safety, respect, and resilience in our pupils.
Mrs Rathbone is our PREVENT Lead and coordinates this work as part of her safeguarding responsibilities. She is also our Single Point of Contact (SPOC). If you have any concerns, you can contact her on 01782 234820.
What is the PREVENT Strategy?
PREVENT is a government strategy designed to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting extremist causes. At St Mary’s, we go further by helping children develop strong thinking skills and positive values so they grow up respectful, tolerant, and resilient to harmful influences.
The strategy covers all forms of extremism, including:
- Violent Islamist groups
- Extreme right-wing movements
- Other extremist ideologies
What’s New in the 2023 Refresh?
The government updated the Prevent strategy in July 2023 following an independent review. The refreshed approach:
- Places greater focus on tackling terrorist ideologies, especially Islamist extremism, while remaining threat agnostic (addressing all forms of extremism).
- Strengthens partnerships between schools, local authorities, and safeguarding agencies.
- Emphasises early intervention and building resilience in children through education and pastoral care.
- Reinforces the importance of critical thinking skills and promoting British values to prevent radicalisation.
How Does PREVENT Apply to Schools?
Since July 2015, all schools have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism. This means:
- Protecting children from extremist or violent views, just as we protect them from drugs or gang violence.
- Providing a safe space for pupils to discuss challenging topics and learn how to keep themselves safe.
What Does This Look Like at St Mary’s?
Many of the things we already do as a Catholic school contribute to the PREVENT strategy, including:
- Celebrating diversity and exploring other cultures and faiths.
- Challenging prejudice and promoting equality.
- Developing critical thinking skills and a strong sense of identity.
- Promoting spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, alongside British values such as democracy and respect.
We also take practical steps, such as:
- Using internet filters to block extremist content.
- Vetting visitors who work with pupils.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does PREVENT relate to British values?
Schools must promote British values, which include:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
Is my child too young to learn about extremism?
PREVENT is not about teaching extremism to young children. It’s about fostering values like respect and tolerance in an age-appropriate way.
Is extremism really a risk in our area?
Extremism can take many forms—political, religious, or ideological. We aim to give children the skills to protect themselves from harmful views now and in the future.
Key Terms
- Extremism – Opposition to fundamental British values such as democracy and tolerance.
- Ideology – A set of beliefs.
- Terrorism – Violent action intended to create fear and advance a cause.
- Radicalisation – The process of supporting extremist behaviour.
Useful Links
At St Mary’s, we believe every child is a gift from God. Our work with PREVENT reflects our mission to nurture children who live out Gospel values of love, peace, and respect, helping them grow into responsible citizens who care for others and contribute positively to society.