Safeguarding
Safeguarding
Every child has the right to feel safe, valued and heard.
At our school, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a culture where every child feels safe, respected and supported to thrive. We want every child to know they have trusted adults who will listen to them, take their concerns seriously and help them when they need it.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We are fully committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of every child and ensuring they can learn, grow and achieve their full potential in a safe, caring and inclusive environment.
How we keep children safe
We are committed to providing a safe environment where children can flourish.
We do this by:
✔ Maintaining a strong safeguarding culture where children’s welfare is everyone’s responsibility.
✔ Ensuring all staff receive regular safeguarding training and understand how to recognise, record and report concerns.
✔ Listening carefully to children and acting promptly whenever concerns are raised.
✔ Teaching children how to stay safe, build healthy relationships and make informed choices.
✔ Promoting online safety and helping children use technology responsibly.
✔ Working closely with parents, carers and external agencies to secure the best outcomes for children.
✔ Following robust safeguarding procedures in line with national and local guidance.
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding means protecting children from harm, preventing abuse and neglect, promoting their wellbeing and ensuring they grow up in a safe environment where they can achieve their best.
Effective safeguarding is about much more than responding to concerns. It is about creating a culture where children feel secure, are listened to, know who they can talk to and receive the right support at the right time.
Our safeguarding culture
Children’s wellbeing is central to every decision we make.
We encourage children to speak to a trusted adult whenever they are worried about themselves or someone else. We want every child to feel confident that they will be listened to and supported.
All members of staff understand that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Staff receive regular safeguarding training and understand the importance of remaining vigilant, recognising when a child may need help, acting with professional curiosity and responding promptly to any concern, however small.
We believe that safeguarding is most effective when schools, families and partner agencies work together to support children and help them thrive.
Teaching children to keep themselves safe
Helping children develop the knowledge, confidence and resilience to keep themselves safe is an important part of our curriculum.
Through our PSHE, Relationships Education, Computing and wider curriculum, children learn to:
- recognise healthy and respectful relationships
- understand personal boundaries
- stay safe online and use technology responsibly
- recognise when something doesn’t feel right
- identify trusted adults they can talk to
- manage risks appropriately
- seek help when they feel worried, frightened or unsafe.
We also provide pupils with a child-friendly Child Protection Policy so they understand who they can speak to and how the school will support them.
Our safeguarding procedures
Our safeguarding arrangements follow the statutory guidance set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and the procedures of the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NYSCP).
Safeguarding concerns are recorded promptly and shared with our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), who work with families and partner agencies to ensure children receive the right support at the right time.
Meet our Safeguarding Team
If you have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please speak to a member of our safeguarding team.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Mrs Chapman
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
Mr Wright – Headteacher
Mrs Lewis-Lennon – Support Class Teacher
Safeguarding Governor
Mrs Sarah Parkhouse
Working in partnership with families
We believe that children achieve the best outcomes when schools and families work together.
Wherever possible, we will discuss any concerns with parents or carers and work together to provide the right support for the child.
There may be occasions, however, when we have a statutory duty to share information with Children’s Social Care or the Police without first informing parents or carers. This will only happen where it is necessary to protect a child from harm. The safety and welfare of the child will always be our first priority.
Concerned about a child?
If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please do not ignore your concerns. No concern is ever too small.
You can:
- Speak to a member of our Safeguarding Team.
- Contact the North Yorkshire Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST) directly.
- Visit www.safeguardingchildren.co.uk for advice and information.
If you believe a child is in immediate danger, always call 999.
Safeguarding Policies
Our safeguarding policies, including our Child Protection Policy, Behaviour Policy, Online Safety Policy, Staff Code of Conduct and Whistleblowing Policy, are available to download below.
If you would like any further information about safeguarding at our school, please do not hesitate to contact us.
