From 1 July 2015 all schools are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, in the exercise of their functions, 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.

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. The Home Office has developed  core training for this purpose which our staff and some governors have accessed. Senior Leaders at the school have also completed Prevent training as part of Designated Safeguarding Lead training. 

At Medway, we build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling our pupils to challenge extremist views.

New Prevent website aimed at traditionally hard to reach relatives

The national online safeguarding hub ActEarly.uk stresses to family and friends the importance of acting early on concerns they may have about a loved one in order to save lives.

At a time when people are so focussed on protecting their own and others’ physical health, remember to also pay close attention to the psychological and emotional wellbeing of their loved ones, and report any signs of extreme behaviour sooner rather than later.