Safeguarding Policy
1. What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding means protecting children from harm, ensuring their development in a safe environment, and taking action when there are concerns. It includes:
- Preventing abuse, neglect, and exploitation
- Promoting the welfare and rights of children
- Acting swiftly when concerns arise
2. Who is Responsible?
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility:
- School Leadership & Board: Ensure safety systems are in place and working.
- Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs): Trained staff who lead on all safeguarding matters.
- All Staff & Volunteers: Receive regular training and must report any concerns.
- Parents: Encouraged to work in partnership with the school and report concerns.
3. Safe Environment
We strive to provide a physically and emotionally safe learning space by:
- Vetting all staff through identity and criminal checks
- Ensuring all visitors wear badges and are supervised
- Providing staff guidance on professional boundaries and online interactions
- Educating students about safe relationships, consent, and online safety
4. Education for Students
Children are taught, in age-appropriate ways, how to:
- Stay safe online and offline
- Understand healthy relationships and boundaries
- Recognise and report abuse or harmful behaviour
- Build self-esteem and body confidence.
This includes inclusive support for students with additional needs or vulnerabilities.
5. Reporting Concerns
If there are concerns about a child’s safety:
Staff will act immediately and notify the DSL.
- Parents will be informed unless doing so puts the child at further risk.
- We may involve external authorities (like police or child protection services) if needed.
- Concerns are documented securely and confidentially.
Children are also encouraged to report child-on-child abuse, and we have systems in place for this.
6. Allegations or Misconduct
If a concern is raised about a staff member:
- The school follows a strict procedure to protect both the child and the staff member involved.
- Investigations are handled by trained leaders and may involve external agencies
- Alleged abusers may be suspended during investigations.
- Whistleblowing is protected – anyone reporting concerns in good faith will not face retaliation.
7. Online Safety and Filtering
- Schools have secure internet filtering to protect against harmful content.
- Students are supervised while using technology.
- Staff and students are only to communicate via school-approved platforms.
8. Photos and Videos
- Generic photo consent is collected during enrolment.
- Parents can opt out of media use for marketing via a specific form.
- Photos for personal use during school events are allowed, but should respect other families’ privacy.
9. Early Help & Support
We believe in early intervention to help students facing difficulties. Support may include:
- Counselling
- Referrals to external support services
- Additional learning or behavioural support
Staff are trained to spot early signs of issues and offer support before problems escalate.
