Child Protection Statement

Our school recognises our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils.  We will endeavour to comply with best practice and provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued.  We will be alert to the signs of abuse and maltreatment and will follow our procedures and government guidance to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice.

We acknowledge that some children, including disabled children and young people or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.

The procedures contained in this policy apply to all staff and governors and are consistent with those of the Safeguarding Partners.

Core principles

This policy is one of a series in the school’s integrated safeguarding portfolio.  Our core safeguarding principles are as follows:

The school’s responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children is of paramount importance.

• Safer children make more successful learners.
• Representatives of the whole school community of pupils, parents, staff and governors will be involved in policy development and review.
• Policies will be reviewed annually, unless an incident or new legislation or guidance suggest the need for an interim review.

The statement and core principles demonstrate the school’s understanding that, to carry out its role effectively, it must:

• Give priority to the welfare of the child
• Understand the importance of respect
• Recognise the relationship between safety and learning
• Value the opinions and contributions of the whole school community
• Ensure staff are appropriately trained
• Develop and maintain effective procedures
• Comply with the prevailing legislation and consider prevailing guidance

Safeguarding legislation and government guidance states that safeguarding means:

• Protecting children from maltreatment
• Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
• Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
• Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcome

 The school’s Designated Safeguarding Leads are:

Worried about a child?

If you have a concern about the safety of a child then you should talk to someone immediately.