Prevent Duty and Promoting Safe Communities
At Wrockwardine Wood Infant School and Oakengates Nursery Federation, safeguarding our pupils includes helping them develop into confident and thoughtful citizens. Our commitment to preventing radicalisation aligns with safeguarding from any form of harm or vulnerability.
What Is the Prevent Duty?
Introduced in 2015 as part of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, the Prevent Duty requires schools to be alert to the risks of children being drawn into extremist ideas or actions. It calls on us to:
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Tackle and respond to ideas that encourage harmful or extremist views.
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Provide practical support and guidance to children and families.
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Collaborate with broad networks—including education, health, and local services—to protect and support our school community.
What We Teach and Why
Our whole-school curriculum promotes values that equip children to think for themselves—and to treat others with kindness and respect.
We:
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Nurture tolerance, democracy, mutual respect, and individual liberty—the key British values.
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Build resilience and confidence in children, helping them understand and articulate their values.
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Encourage open dialogue through thoughtful discussions, storytelling, and compassionate role-play that suits their age and understanding.
Protecting from Risk
Even for very young children, we help them understand that not everyone online or in person is trustworthy.
In practice, this means:
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Teaching safe internet habits—like not speaking to strangers online and telling an adult if they feel worried.
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Using secure content filters at school to block extremist or inappropriate material.
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Holding visits from vetted professionals in secure and supervised environments only.
Why This Matters
Our everyday lessons, stories, and values-based conversations all contribute to protecting children. These include:
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Learning about different cultures and beliefs.
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Challenging prejudice and celebrating diversity.
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Helping children build a strong sense of identity and belonging.
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Modelling respectful communication and encouraging curiosity.
These efforts help keep children safe now—and well into the future.
Questions You Might Have
How does Prevent connect with British values?
We weave British values—democracy, fairness, respect—into everything we do, helping children grow kind and informed.
Is it appropriate for young children?
Yes. We do not discuss extremist material directly. Instead, we teach broad, positive values like empathy, fairness and kindness that naturally safeguard children.
Is extremism a real concern locally?
Risks vary by region. However, our mission is to ensure children are confident and discerning no matter what challenges they may face, now or in the future.
Want to Learn More?
If you have any concerns or questions about Prevent or how we safeguard children at school, please reach out to our Designated Safeguarding Lead for Prevent.