British Values and Prevent Duty | Dormers Wells High School

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British Values and Prevent Duty

Dormers Wells High School is committed to working closely and in harmony with its community and celebrating the diversity of the UK. We aim to prepare students for life in modern Britain and to ensure that our school ethos, curriculum and approaches to teaching and learning reflect and promote British values.

We recognise that these values are not exclusive to being British and that they have come to be accepted throughout the democratic world as the method of creating an orderly society in which individual members can feel safe, valued and can contribute for the good of themselves and others.

We work alongside our local community and recognise the variety of religious beliefs within it. Students take part in local events and meet different members of the community to appreciate the valuable contributions they make. All subject departments are aware of the importance of transmitting British values through their curriculum content.

We take opportunities to:

acknowledge, celebrate and commemorate national events, and anniversaries related to key events in Britain’s past ;
join in with international sporting events and find out more about the countries that host them;
support a number of charities that are selected by the students and arrange fundraising events;
invite members of the local community to our school events.

We understand the role that our school has in helping prevent radicalisation and supporting our students in developing a worldview, recognising Britain’s place within it. The five British values are:

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

british values at dwhs

prevent duty
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 the extreme right wing, violent Islamist groups and other causes. 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 we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views the same way we protect them from drugs or gang violence. Importantly, we can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they better understand how to protect themselves. What does this mean in practice? 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: Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity Challenging prejudices and racist comments Developing thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, as well as British values such as democracy 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. 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: The rule of law; Individual liberty and mutual respect; Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs 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 misogynistic 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. Where can I get more advice to support my child? There are many websites that now offer support and guidance to tackle this challenging topic. As parents and teachers, we suggest that the NSPCC website is a good place to begin. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-we-do/news-opinion/supporting-childrenworried-about-terrorism/ 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 extreme ideology and behavior.

prevent duty

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 the extreme right wing, violent Islamist groups and other causes.

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 we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views the same way we protect them from drugs or gang violence. Importantly, we can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they better understand how to protect themselves.

What does this mean in practice?

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:

Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity
Challenging prejudices and racist comments
Developing thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity
Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, as well as British values such as democracy

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.

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: The rule of law; Individual liberty and mutual respect; Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

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 misogynistic 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.

Where can I get more advice to support my child?

There are many websites that now offer support and guidance to tackle this challenging topic. As parents and teachers, we suggest that the NSPCC website is a good place to begin. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-we-do/news-opinion/supporting-childrenworried-about-terrorism/

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 extreme ideology and behavior.