Safeguarding Policy at Shotton Primary School

7/27/2019 Safeguarding Policy at Shotton Primary School

1/8

Shotton Primary

School

Safeguarding Policy


2/8

Shotton Primary School

Safeguarding

Purpose

Shotton Primary Schools whole school safeguarding policy aims to provide clear directionto staff and others about expected codes of behaviour in dealing with child protection

issues. The policy also aims to make explicit the schools commitment to the development

of good practice and sound procedures. The purpose of the policy is, therefore, to ensure

that child protection concerns and referrals are handled sensitively, professionally and in

ways that support the needs of the child.

The school policy for Safeguarding was developed and agreed by the senior staff and has

the full agreement of the Governing Body.

Shotton Primary School Safeguarding Children Statement

At Shotton Primary School the health and safety of all children is of paramount

importance. Parents send their children to school each day with the expectation that

school provides a safe and secure environment in which their children can flourish. Shotton

Primary School therefore has to ensure that this expectation becomes reality. In order to

do this a wide range of measures are put in place:

The Health and Safety Policy

The school has a health and safety policy, which is monitored by the relevant committee of

the school governors.

The LA produces a monitoring checklist, which has to be completed on a termly basis. The

head teacher has responsibility for Health and Safety. The Premises Manager, the

Administrative Manager and the Governors with responsibility for Health and Safety deal

with health and safety issues in the Finance and Premises committee. This is on the

grounds that rectifying health and safety problems usually has a financial implication. Day

to day health and safety issues are reported to the premises manager, who is usually able

to take immediate actions having made an initial examination. Urgent concerns are

reported to the head teacher.

At least termly, there is a fire drill that practices efficient evacuation from the buildings.

An analysis of the evacuation procedures is undertaken and recommendations and

improvements made. The school conducts an annual Fire Risk Assessment.

In addition to the Health and Safety Policy there are policies regarding Healthy Eating,

PSHCE, Equal opportunities (race, gender, ethnicity & class), and whistle blowing.


3/8

The school has 9 CCTV cameras positioned to record key areas of the school. These

operate 24/7. Only the Head Teacher, premises manager and admin manager access secure

footage. (see full policies)

First Aid

In school there are always trained members of staff who oversee first aid. When a child ispoorly, or has suffered an accident in school or on the playground there is a protocol for

staff to follow:

A trained first aider is consulted.

The incident is logged in the accident bookand the child is given a First Aid sticker to

wear. A note is also sent home.

If there is any doubt at all a parent is contacted. (For bumps on heads parents are

always contacted).

The main office are contacted to make any phone calls home.

Accident forms are completed for serious incidents and sent to County Hall, Durham.

The Shotton Primary School policy is that designated first aid members of staff

administer medicines which have been prescribed by a doctor. Parents are required to

complete a medicines form.

For matters of an intimate nature staff are informed to deal with a child with utmost

sensitivity and always to seek guidance from the head teacher or deputy. In almost all

situations the parents will be asked to come into school immediately so that they are part

of the decision making process for such matters.

(See First Aid Policy for further information)

Site security: Access and Egress

Shotton Primary School provides a secure site. Gates to the main school drive are locked

at the start and end of each day as they open out onto the main road. (Times are 8.45am-

9.15am and 2.55pm-3.30pm) A gate within school grounds between the main entrance

access route and the main yard is kept closed at all times. The gate within the reception

outdoor classroom is locked between 9.30am and 2.30pm daily to secure the learning

environment. All staff on duty in the yard have security keys on their person. Doors should

be closed and all staff have been issued with security keys. The main entrance has a door

entry system and visitors are spoken to via intercom and viewed on camera before entering

the building. Visitors, volunteers and students must only enter through the main entrance

and after signing in at the office counter. They will be asked to provide means of

identification. Children will only be allowed home with adults with parental responsibility or

confirmed permission, which should be provided in advance. Check cards are kept at the

main office for children who are at risk.Children should never be allowed to leave school alone during school hours.


4/8

Should a child leave the school premises without permission then staff have been informed

never to chase after a child, but rather to report the event immediately to the office.

Then parents and police will be informed of the circumstances.

Empty classrooms should have closed windows; doors should not be propped open unless it

is to facilitate entry to a major school event.

AttendanceExcellent attendance is expected of all children, but when children are unwell parents are

expected to confirm absence by telephone immediately. If there is no notification school

has a policy of phoning home to ascertain each childs whereabouts, once the registers

have closed.

The school works closely with the Local Authoritys Education Welfare officer whenever a

childs attendance and punctuality causes concern. Attendance rates are reported each

term to the LA, annually to the government and to all parents. Positive measures are in

place to encourage children to attend regularly and punctually and the school is aware of

its right to take legal action against parents who do not ensure good attendance and

punctuality (see attendance guidance and procedures).

Appointments of staff and induction of newly appointed staff and work placements

Shotton Primary School use Durham County Councils application forms. School always seek

2 references for teaching posts.All staff that are appointed to work in school have a

criminal records search called a CRB check. This search highlights people who have a

criminal record or if previous allegations have been made against them. If staff are found

to have a criminal record the appointment is reconsidered by the Head teacher and the

Personnel committee of the Governing Body. The LA is informed directly by the Criminal

Records Bureau.

The Head teacher sits on all appointment panels where the candidates are external

applicants. The Head teacher has undertaken the NCSL training on Safer Recruitment.

New staff are inducted into safeguarding practices. Newly appointed staff are assigned a

mentor for the induction period. It is the responsibility of the mentors to familiarise new

staff with procedures and policy, which affect the health and safety of all at school but

especially the children. All new staff receive an induction pack. The head teacher and

admin manager have password protected access to the schools single central record.

Induction of volunteers

Volunteers must also have Criminal Records Bureau clearance. For extended contact with

children, when children may be left alone with an adult, or when an adult visitor may be in

and around the school building a full CRB check will be conducted. The admin manager

performs this. Visitors who do not yet have clearance will under no circumstance be left

alone with a child or group of children. CRB checks are to be renewed every three years.

Welcoming visitorsVisitors with a professional role ie the School Nurse, LA professionals such as advisors

and inspectors or support staff, social workers or members of the police already have

relevant clearance. If there is any doubt then the office will require proof. All such


5/8

visitors report to the main office, are met by a member of the office team and also sign in

and out. All visitors receive information regarding fire safety procedures upon signing in.

Child Protection Policy

The designated adult for Child Protection is Ms R. Orr, Head teacher and the designated

governor is Mrs Eunice Huntington. There is a detailed Child Protection Policy which is

made available to all staff. It is the Governing Bodys duty to ensure the policy is reviewedannually and any deficiencies within the policy addressed immediately. All school staff

have had appropriate child protection training, which is updated at least every three

years. Governors are also invited to level 1 child protection training and this is always well

attended.

The child protection policy includes a statement on physical restraint. This school follows

the Local Authority guidelines, which asserts that physical restraint may be used if there

is the possibility that a child may be about to cause harm to him/ herself or to another.

All allegations of abuse by or complaints of a teacher will be dealt with following the Local

Authority procedures. For any complaints about the Head teacher the Chair of Governors

should be contacted directly. (see full procedures)

The Design of the Curriculum

The curriculum deals with safeguarding in two ways.

Firstly, the curriculum, in subjects such as Personal, Social and Health Education discusses

relevant issues with the children. Topics include such themes as Drugs, Sex and

Relationships and Stranger Danger. Children are encouraged to explore and discuss these

issues.

Secondly, the curriculum is designed so that safety issues within the subject are

discussed and safe practices taught, such as using equipment properly in PE and Design and

Technology.

Educational Visits

At all times there has to be appropriate staffing levels and when the curriculum is taking

place out of school. Appropriate and agreed pupil/adult ratios are maintained. The lead

adult always should fill in a risk assessment through EVOLVE for educational and off-site

visits or make available any provided by the institution being visited. EVOLVE forms should

be completed two weeks prior to the date of the visit. All off site visits should be

authorised by the Head teacher. When a visit is arranged it is the responsibility of the

visit organiser to ensure that the appropriate steps have been taken and the correct

procedures followed. All off-site visits must have parental consent.

The head teacher and admin manager are named educational visits managers.

Child protection issues

Risk assessments in respect of child protection should cover the adults who will be

accompanying children and young people, the adults that they will meet at centres theyvisit and or places they will stay and the risks posed by individual children and young

people to others. Where the educational visit involves an overnight stay, volunteers are

asked to undergo a CRB check.


6/8

Centres providing activities for children should be asked to provide evidence that their

staff have been checked.

Centres open to all members of the public should be asked what child safe policies they

have in place. Children should not be left unsupervised in any centre that is not able to

provide evidence of appropriate checks.

Schools need to specify staff-pupil ratios, taking into account ratios in respect of the ageof the children, whether any of the children have special needs, the nature of the

educational visit and activities, the experience of those accompanying pupils and the

duration of the educational visit.

Child protection procedures see policy and guidelines.

Informing parents Make sure parents are given as much information as possible about the

nature of the educational visit and the activities that are likely to be on offer. Parents

may raise concerns about particular aspects of the educational visit and may need

reassurance on safety issues. For longer educational visits it is useful to invite parents to

a meeting to address these issues.

Travel Make sure that travel arrangements are subject to risk assessment. Road travel is

considered the most serious hazard on any school educational visit.

Who will transport pupils and are they safe?

Buses and coaches must have seatbelts.

Children must be supervised throughout the period of travel.

Drivers should never be expected to supervise.

Pupils Talking to pupils about the proposed educational visit is essential. Pupils may have

very individual concerns about the educational visit or specific aspects of the educational

visit. Stress the importance of safety to all pupils. Explain why you are going to do things

like head counts, checking equipment, asking them to be quiet while you give instructions,

etc.

Emergency planning Using the completed risk assessment try to ensure that emergency

plans are in place in case of:

injury staff take a first aid kit on educational visits

illness

pupils going missing

pupils making disclosures of abuse.

Contact numbers are kept at school


7/8

Visiting Speakers

Visiting speakers, with correct clearance are always welcome into school so that can give

specialist knowledge to the children.

The community police officer also offers talks on topics such as stranger danger, drugs

and road safety.

Years 1,2,3 and 4 have weekly swimming lessons.The Fire brigade visit Year 2 annually and discuss safety during Bonfire Night with pupils.

Community health services are available to support staff in delivering the curriculum to

promote healthy living and healthy lifestyles.

Internet Safety

Children should be encouraged to use the internet as much as is possible, but at all times in

a safe way. Parents are asked on the entry of their children if they agree to their child

using the internet. Local Authority filters are in place for internet access. Pupils must

never be left unattended whilst online and teachers should ensure that this does not

happen. If teachers know of misuse, either by a teacher or child the issue should be

reported to the Head teacher without delay.

As Child Protection Officer, the Head teacher has overall responsibility for internet

safety. The school has an Acceptable Use Policy for ICT. All teaching and support staff

have undertaken training in internet safety.

All parents have been given a document on cyberbullying and the children have had

assemblies on bullying cyber and otherwise.

Equal opportunities

Shotton Primary School values aspiration and achievement in academic, social and sporting

endeavours. We work to promote the development of both staff and pupils and measure

our success by the statistics. Children with disabilities must be able to take a full and

active part in every lesson and every measure must be taken to ensure this.

Behaviour policy

Good behaviour is essential in any community and at Shotton Primary School we have high

expectations for this. A policy entitled Behaviour Management is available to staff.

(see full policy)

Anti Bullying Policy

At Shotton Primary School the definition of bullying is: A systematic and extended

victimisation of a person or group, by another or group of others. This can be through

racial stereotyping, abuse about family, nationality, work/achievement, disability, gender

issues. The abuse can be verbal, sexual, physical (through violence), emotional through

social exclusion or blackmail.The schools response to this is unequivocal.

(see full policy)


8/8

Adults must be informed immediately and action will take place.

Children are told that silence is the bullys best friend. Realistically bullying should be seen

as a less desirable aspect of human behaviour that is always present and will need constant

vigilance to counteract. We should always respond swiftly with a process of investigation,

communication and action. Bullying will not be tolerated; however we seek to promote

conflict resolution and reconciliation wherever possible.

Racial tolerance

At Shotton Primary School pupils will be prepared for an ethnically and culturally diverse

society. The school will work hard to promote racial equality, respect and harmony by

preventing and challenging racism.

If anyone ever feels unjustly treated then the school welcomes and values a response. It

is in working together that we will make Shotton Primary School even better.

Racism is tackled in both the RE and in the PSHCE curricula. The children take part in

discussions designed to raise awareness and address prejudices. We have frequent visits

from visiting artists and performers who expose the children to a diverse cultural world.

Racist incidents are logged and reported in line with Durham County procedures.

Photographing and videoing

There has been a lot of controversy recently about adults photographing and filming young

people. The concerns are genuine, however at Shotton Primary School we have taken a

sensible, balanced approach, which allows parents to photograph and film providing they

follow certain guidelines:

Parents consent to school taking photographs by signing a permission slip upon entry to

school. School photographs that are for use outside of school are used with specific

consent from parents.

Whistleblowing

If members of staff ever have any concerns about people working, paid or unpaid, they

have a professional duty to inform the management accordingly. This can be done in writing

or verbally but staff should be prepared to discuss issues in the confidence that any such

matter will be dealt with sensitively and with the necessary degree of confidentiality. The

school follows the Local Authoritys policy on Whistleblowing.

Documents

Safeguarding Policy at Shotton Primary School