Prevent Duty

Prevent at Danesgate Community

Our Duty

Since July 2015, all schools have been legally required under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to “have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This is known as the Prevent Duty.

At Danesgate Community, this forms part of our wider safeguarding work. Keeping pupils safe from radicalisation and extremism is treated with the same importance as protecting them from drugs, exploitation, gang activity or any other form of harm.

All staff receive Prevent awareness training, including the Home Office’s Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent (WRAP) and online courses. This training equips staff to identify concerns early, and to know what steps to take if they are worried about a child.

 

What is the Prevent Strategy?

Prevent is part of the government’s overall counter-terrorism strategy. Its purpose is to:

  • Stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism
  • Challenge extremist ideas and ideologies
  • Support those at risk of radical and extremism, including:
    • Far-right extremism
    • Religious extremism
    • Political or ideological extremism
    • Misogynistic or hate-driven extremism

 

How Does the Prevent Strategy Apply to Schools?

From July 2015, all schools (and childcare providers) have a statutory duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremist influences.

This means we have a responsibility to:

  • Identify risks of radicalisation as part of our safeguarding framework.
  • Protect pupils from extremist and violent views in the same way we protect them from drugs or gang violence.
  • Provide a safe space for pupils to learn, ask questions and discuss sensitive issues openly, so they develop resilience and critical awareness.

 

What Does This Mean in Practice at Danesgate?

Many of the approaches we already use to help children grow into thoughtful, positive members of society also contribute directly to the Prevent duty. These include:

  • Exploring different cultures and religions and celebrating diversity
  • Challenging prejudices, discrimination and racist language
  • Developing critical thinking skills and encouraging debate
  • Promoting strong, positive self-identity and self-esteem
  • Embedding spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development across the curriculum
  • Teaching and modelling British values

We also take practical safeguarding steps to reduce risks, such as:

  • Using filtering systems to block extremist and terrorist material online
  • Vetting visitors and external speakers carefully
  • Following clear safeguarding procedures if a concern is raised, with referrals made through our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

 

How Does Prevent Relate to British Values?

Since 2014, schools have been required to actively promote British values as part of their curriculum and ethos. This work directly supports the Prevent strategy.

The British values we promote are:

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

These values help pupils to respect others, understand their rights and responsibilities, and engage positively with the wider community.

 

Is Extremism Really a Risk in Our Area?

Extremism can take many different forms, including political, religious, cultural, or misogynistic extremism. While some types may present a greater risk locally than others, all forms of extremism can be harmful.

At Danesgate Community, our priority is to equip young people with the skills, confidence and resilience to recognise extremist views and to challenge them safely. By promoting critical thinking, respect for others, and British values, we help prepare our pupils to protect themselves from extremist influences — both now and in the future.

 

Who to Contact Locally if You Have Concerns

City of York Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
For concerns about children or young people (including issues related to extremism):

Prevent Referral (York’s Single Point of Contact – SPOC)
For concerns suggesting a child may be at risk of radicalisation:

ACT Early – National Advice Line
If you or someone you know is worried about someone at risk of radicalisation, you can seek confidential help from the national Police Prevent Advice Line:

Other Trusted Resources

  • City of York Safeguarding Children Partnership (CYSCP)
    Coordinates safeguarding efforts across education, police, health, and local authority teams.
  • North Yorkshire Police (Non-emergency): 101
  • Emergency (if there’s immediate danger): Dial 999

Useful Links