What is the Prevent duty?

The Prevent duty is part of the Government’s wider counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. Its aim is to help prevent people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

For schools, Prevent is first and foremost a safeguarding responsibility. It requires schools to help protect children who may be susceptible to radicalisation or influence from extremist ideologies.

Prevent is based on early identification and support. It is not about criminalising children or preventing legitimate discussion, debate or the expression of different views. Where a concern is identified, the focus is on understanding the child’s circumstances and providing appropriate safeguarding support.

The Prevent duty applies to schools through section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.

How does Prevent apply at Feniscowles Primary School?

We consider the risk of radicalisation as part of our wider safeguarding arrangements.

Our approach is proportionate to the age of our pupils, the needs of our community and the risks identified through our safeguarding and Prevent risk assessment.

We support children by:

• providing a safe environment where children can ask questions and discuss difficult issues appropriately
• teaching children how to recognise unsafe, misleading or harmful information
• developing critical thinking and helping children understand that information found online may not always be accurate or trustworthy
• teaching respect for people from different backgrounds, cultures, religions and beliefs
• challenging prejudice, discrimination, racism and intolerance
• promoting democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
• teaching children how to stay safe online
• ensuring appropriate filtering and monitoring systems are in place
• considering the suitability of visitors and external speakers
• training staff to recognise and respond appropriately to concerns about radicalisation

We recognise that radicalisation can take place both online and offline and that there is no single type of child who may be susceptible.

What might staff be concerned about?

There is no checklist or single pathway to radicalisation.

A safeguarding concern may arise from a combination of changes in behaviour, language, relationships, online activity or the material a child is accessing.

Staff are trained to remain professionally curious and to consider concerns within the wider context of the child’s circumstances.

A child expressing a different, unpopular or strongly held opinion does not in itself mean that they are being radicalised.

Where staff have a concern, they follow the school’s normal safeguarding procedures and report the concern to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

What about online radicalisation?

Online environments can expose children to harmful or extremist material.

Children may encounter this through websites, social media, video platforms, messaging services, gaming communities or other online spaces.

As part of our wider online safety curriculum, we help children to:

• question what they see and hear online
• recognise attempts to manipulate or influence them
• understand that algorithms and online communities can repeatedly expose users to similar content
• know what to do if they see something that worries or confuses them
• speak to a trusted adult if they are concerned about something online

Our filtering and monitoring arrangements also form part of our safeguarding approach.

British values

Schools are required to actively promote the fundamental British values of:

• democracy
• the rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

At Feniscowles, these principles are developed through our curriculum, assemblies, relationships, behaviour expectations and wider school life.

They are not taught as isolated ideas. We want children to develop the knowledge, confidence and critical thinking needed to participate positively in a diverse democratic society.

Is my child too young to learn about radicalisation?

Prevent education in a primary school is age appropriate.

We do not expose young children unnecessarily to frightening or inappropriate material about terrorism.

Instead, much of our work focuses on helping children develop protective knowledge and behaviours, including:

• treating others with respect
• recognising prejudice and discrimination
• understanding different beliefs and perspectives
• thinking critically about information
• staying safe online
• recognising when someone may be trying to influence them
• knowing when and how to ask a trusted adult for help

As children grow older, discussions may become more detailed where this is appropriate to their age and understanding.

Is radicalisation a risk everywhere?

The risks faced by schools and communities are not identical and can change over time.

Schools are therefore expected to understand their local context and assess the risks relevant to their pupils.

Extremist and terrorist narratives can draw on a range of political, religious, racial, misogynistic, anti-establishment or other grievances.

Our responsibility is not to assume that one particular community, faith or background presents a risk. We consider individual safeguarding concerns objectively and proportionately.

What happens if the school has a concern?

A concern about radicalisation is treated in the same way as other safeguarding concerns.

Staff will report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, who will consider the information available, speak with the child where appropriate and decide what further support or action may be required.

Where appropriate, the school may seek advice from safeguarding partners or local Prevent professionals.

A Prevent concern does not automatically result in a criminal investigation.

Where a child would benefit from additional support, this may include consideration of Channel, a voluntary multi-agency programme designed to support people who are susceptible to being drawn into terrorism.

Wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so, we will work openly with parents and carers.

Key terms

Prevent
The part of the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy concerned with stopping people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

Radicalisation
The process through which a person comes to legitimise support for, or the use of, terrorist violence.

Susceptibility to radicalisation
Circumstances that may make an individual more likely to be influenced or harmed by terrorist or extremist ideologies. There is no single profile of a person who may be susceptible.

Terrorism
The use or threat of serious violence or serious damage intended to influence government or intimidate the public, for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause.

Channel
A voluntary, confidential multi-agency programme that provides support to people identified as susceptible to being drawn into terrorism.

Further information and guidance

Parents and carers who are concerned about something their child has seen, heard or become involved with are encouraged to speak to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Further information is available through:

• GOV.UK Prevent Duty Guidance
• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026
• Educate Against Hate
• GOV.UK Prevent Duty Training
• the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
• the school’s Online Safety information