Safeguarding/Child Protection

School Statement

The Governing Body takes seriously its responsibility to ensure that the well-being of children is safeguarded and promoted and to work together with other agencies to ensure adequate arrangements within our school to identify, assess, and support those children who are suffering harm.

We recognise that all staff and Governors have a full and active part to play (consistent with their roles and responsibilities) in protecting our children from harm, and that the child’s welfare is our paramount concern. We believe that our school should provide a safe, caring, positive and stimulating environment that promotes the social, physical, spiritual and moral development of the individual child.

Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs)

If you are concerned for a child’s health, welfare or safety you must speak to one of our DSLs immediately. They are Rachel Jeffers (Head of School – Portland Road), Niamh O’Shea (Head of School – School Road), Charlotte Wallace (Inclusion Manager – Holland Road). Our Dedicated Safeguarding Team is Maddie Southern (Executive Headteacher), Lorna Cummings (Co-Executive Headteacher), Samuel Ledger (Head of School – Holland Road), Serena Lambert (Learning Mentor – School Road), Sharon Pond (Learning Mentor – School Road), Bridget Rennie (Child Mental Health Lead & Learning Mentor – Portland Road) and Kelly Taft (Learning Mentor – Holland Road).

Do not question the child or try to secure evidence. Your responsibility is to report your concern, not to investigate.

If a child tells you something that suggests they are at risk of harm, allow them to tell you as much as they wish and let them know that you must pass the information on to the DSL.

If you are unable to find a DSL immediately, please ask the school office to contact one for you.

Policies

Please see the Policies below which concern Child Protection and Safeguarding: