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Summerlea CP School Growing thoughtful learners and independent thinkers

Safeguarding, Prevent and British Values

If you have a safeguarding concern please speak to a DSL:
Mrs Strong , Mrs Viney, Ms Smailes, Mrs Crook, Miss Walker or Miss Chandler
 
Out of hours please contact:
Children's Social Care via the Integrated Front Door (IFD):  01403  229 900
EMAIL: WSChildrenservices@westsussex.gov.uk or the Police on 999.
 
You can also use the Designated Safeguarding Lead email if your concern is non-urgent: dsl@summerleaschool.co.uk

 

Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy has been updated to meet the requirements of the latest relevant legislation: 

At Summerlea ensuring the safety of children is paramount.

We do this by:

  • providing a safe environment for children to learn
  • listening to what children tell us
  • identifying children who are suffering or likely to suffer significant harm, and taking appropriate action with the aim of making sure that they are kept safe both at home and in the education setting.

 To achieve this objective, we:

  • identify instances where there are grounds for concern about a child’s welfare and initiate or take appropriate action to keep them safe
  • contribute to effective partnership working between all those involved in providing services for our children
  • aim to prevent unsuitable people from working with children
  • promote safe practice and challenge any poor or unsafe practice
  • ensure staff receive training as specified by legislation.

PREVENT Strategy

HM Government has published guidance for authorities, including schools, on their responsibilities under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, which came into effect on 1 July 2015.  Under the Act, schools and other authorities have a duty to “have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.

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 groups and other causes.

How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools?

From July 2015 all schools (as well as other organisations) have had 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 other dangers.  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 critical 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:

  • Democracy
  • 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.

KEY TERMS

Extremism – vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values such as democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect 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 extremism and terrorism.

 

Promoting British Values - our Commitment to Safeguarding and the PREVENT Duty

The DfE have reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs”.

 At Summerlea CP School these values underpin our Summerlea Seven Values (HEARRRT) and are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

Democracy underpins the values of the school. All children are treated fairly and have an equal right to express their views and be listened to. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Pupil Council and Pupil Surveys. Members of the School Pupil Council are elected democratically by their classmates on their class councils, which introduces them to the principal of democratic elections. We also take part in local Junior Youth Council events.  In addition, members of the School Pupil Council contribute to policies such as the Behaviour Policy and the Home School Agreement as well as the School Improvement Plan.

Rule of law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the reasons behind school rules, taught the importance of observing those rules and what the consequences will be should they forget to follow any of the rules. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Magistrates in Schools reinforce the message that we all have a responsibility to follow laws and that there are consequences when laws are broken. Members of the School Pupil Council visit the Houses of Parliament to see democracy and law making in action.

Individual liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school, we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and a curriculum designed to empower them. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-Safety Policy and PSHCE lessons.  Children often choose their level of challenge in lessons and what to present to parents/carers during year group assemblies.

Mutual respect

Our children thoroughly enjoy lessons and are active learners who display very good behaviour because they understand the right of all children to learn and thrive in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The school promotes respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom rules as well as our Behaviour Policy. Children take part in discussions during Circle Time when they are expected to treat the opinions and views of others with respect, even if they differ from their own; Learning Buddies is one example of this in action.  We aspire to mutual respect permeating all that we do.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

All staff are committed to developing with the children the language needed to express their views, emotions and feelings so that children are able to negotiate with their peers and resolve any disagreements peacefully. We actively seek opportunities to enhance pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity through the real life experiences of their peers. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudiced based bullying are being followed and are supported by learning in RE and PSHCE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children have a school visit to different places of worship during their time at Summerlea.