Our Safeguarding Team

Caroline Debus

Head Teacher

Designated Safeguarding Lead

 Toni Pratley

EYFS Leader of Learning

Designated Safeguarding Lead

 Rachel Lacey

Assistant Head Teacher

Deputy Safeguarding Lead

 Sonia Smith

Family Welfare Support

Deputy Safeguarding Lead

 

Safeguarding at St Leonard’s

Safeguarding our children is paramount to the school’s community and at the heart of what we do. All staff at St Leonard’s CE Primary School have had training in child protection and safeguarding procedures. This training is updated regularly in response to on-going changes in legislation. Staff maintain an ‘it could happen here’ mindset and work in a timely manner to always act in the best interests of the child (children).

Caroline Debus, Head Teacher and Toni Pratley, EYFS Leader of Learning, are the Designated Safeguarding Leads for the school. Rachel Lacey, Assistant Head Teacher and Sonia Smith, Family Welfare Support are the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads. Any safeguarding concerns should be raised with one of the Safeguarding Team. Ms Gemma Barker and Mrs Anila Malik are the Governors with responsibility for safeguarding. The Designated Person for Children We Care For is Toni Pratley.

Absences from school will be investigated and we text home after 9.00 am on the first day of absence if we are not contacted. Persistent absence and long unexplained absences are also challenged. The school’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be found by clicking here. It is subject to annual review and includes sections related to radicalisation, child sexual exploitation (CSE), female genital mutilation (FGM) and children missing from education. The school works closely with outside agencies including other local schools, the Health Authority and Social Care. Referrals are made where we feel that a child is at risk of, or has experienced, harm.

We are vigilant in ensuring that all our staff have an up-to-date check with the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) (formerly CRB) and we follow Safer Recruitment Practices at all times. Teaching certificates and references are checked before employment and prohibition notices.

Giving children skills to help them manage risks is paramount. The school’s Online Safety Policy can be found here and there is information for parents within Learning Links and at https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk .  The school’s Anti-Bullying policy can be found here.

 

Site Security

We endeavour to make our premises as safe and secure as is reasonably possible. Visitors must sign in and have their ID checked at the main reception of the building before gaining entry and there are key pads to gain entry on all other external doors. There is secure fencing around the school site.

Electronic registers are kept of children and staff so that we can account for all individuals in the event of evacuation for emergency. There is a lockdown procedure should there ever be concerns about children’s safety outside or within the building.

Children’s health and safety is our first concern and our school site is risk-assessed on an on-going basis so that any potential hazards are alleviated or minimised to acceptable limits. Children are adequately supervised at all times and there is first aid provision available at all times from fully trained staff.

 

 

Use of Photographs, Videos and Recordings in School

It is the school’s policy to ensure that these materials are used sensitively. If parents do not wish their children to appear in photographs or videos they should inform the school in writing and a confidential list will be kept in school. A reminder of the school’s policy will be sent each year to parents and carers allowing them to update their preferences. Similarly, there may be occasions when local newspapers wish to publish photographs. If you do not wish your child to be shown or named please let the school know.

 

 

Further Information

 

Safeguarding in the Curriculum

 

Online Safety

Children at our school use the internet on a regular basis as part of their learning. In school, we have regular eSafety activities to remind children of the importance of keeping themselves safe online.

 

Below are a few links to some very useful information regarding e-safety for parents, carers and children:

Think U Know – containing internet safety advice for those aged from 5 to 16, along with parents and teachers, this site is produced by CEOP (the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre).

Kidsmart – An award-winning internet safety programme for children.

Bullying UK – Information and advice about bullying for children, parents and schools.

Kidscape – An organisation which helps to prevent bullying and child abuse.

Childline – ChildLine is the free helpline for children and young people in the UK.

BBC Stay Safe – Test your Internet safety knowledge with Hacker and help the Horrible Histories gang stay safe online

Net Smartz Kids– Click on the image opposite to visit the Net Smartz Kids website for lots of e-safety activities.

Childnet International – website to “help make the Internet a great and safe place for children”.

 

Help and Advice Links

 

This website has a CLICK CEOP button to report anything that is not as it should be on the Internet.