At Greenland Community Primary School, we regard the safeguarding of children as our main priority. We believe that we all have the right to be happy, to be safe and to learn. We all have the responsibility to make this happen.
We will ensure that:
- The welfare of the child remains paramount.
- All children irrespective of age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/ or sexual identity have the right to be protected from harm.
- All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and
appropriately. - All staff and volunteers working at our school have a responsibility to report concerns to the designated leads for Safeguarding: Miss Anne-Marie Lewis and Mrs Claire Guy.
Areas of Safeguarding
Our safeguarding policies cover all areas of school life and include:
- Staff & Visitors – ensuring they are vetted, informed & trained.
- Children’s Behaviour – promoting safer & happier behaviours & lifestyles.
- Parents & Carers – promoting links & supporting families.
- Premises – keeping them safe, pleasant & fit for purpose.
- Curriculum – providing positive, life affirming learning experiences.
- Outside School – ensuring safer activities and environments outside school.
Members of Staff Responsible
We are all responsible for ensuring that each child remains safe, however the Designated Leads for Safeguarding are Mr Stewart (Head teacher) and Miss Lewis (Head of School).
- School Governor with special responsibility for Safeguarding – Mrs Joanne Rees-Proud.
- Chair of Governors – Mr Lee Ferry.
- Chair of Members & Trustees – Mr Tom Harpe
All of the above can be contacted via telephone on (01207) 232147.
Safer Recruitment
We follow strict procedures to ensure that everyone who works with our children is vetted, keeping our children as safe as possible. On going checks and whistleblowing are in line with current policy.
Staff Training
- Staff are trained in child protection issues and are aware of the procedures to follow.
- Staff are encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our children.
- All staff & volunteers are given a copy of our Behaviour Policy and are directed to the document Keeping Children Safe in Education Policy. To access both of theses documents please visit our Policy page.
Child Protection with Safeguarding Policy
All staff have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues and are able to implement the safeguarding children policy and procedure appropriately. Policies are in line with current guidance and procedures.
Staff are able to respond appropriately to any:
- significant changes in children’s behaviour;
- deterioration in their general well-being;
- unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse;
- signs of neglect;
- comments children make which give cause for concern.
All staff are aware of the need to maintain privacy and confidentiality.
To view our Safeguarding Policies please click here: School Policies
Information Sharing
We have an obligation to obtain necessary information from parents in advance of a child being admitted to school, including:
- emergency contact numbers;
- the child’s special dietary requirements, preferences or food allergies the child may have;
- the child’s special health requirements;
- information about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child.
Written parental permission is requested, at the time of the child’s admission to the provision, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.
PARENTS & CARERS MUST TELL US OF ANY CHANGES TO THESE DETAILS.
We take confidentiality very seriously. Any information which we hold is treated as confidential and shared on a ‘need-to-know’ basis.
Links with External Agencies
Because our first concern must be the well-being of your child, there may be occasions when we have to consult other agencies before we contact you. The procedures we have to follow have been laid down in accordance with the local authority child protection procedures.
We are fortunate to be supported by a range of external agencies which can be called upon to support the work we do in school. These include School Nurse, Health Practitioners, Educational Psychology, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Behaviour Support, Social Services and Specialists in supporting Special Educational Needs.
Reporting Concerns or Complaints
Further to the above procedures, we have in place a Complaints Policy. This enables children, staff and carers to report anything they feel is of concern.
Concerns should be raised in the following order.
- To the Class Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
- To the Head Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
- To the Chairman of Governors. Then, if there is no resolution;
- To the Local Authority.
To contact your child’s class teacher, Head teacher or Chair of Governors please telephone our Main Office in the first instance on (01207) 232147.
To contact Mr Tom Harpe, Chair of Members and Trustees of Stanley Learning Partnership please call (01207) 266700. Alternatively you may wish to contact Mr Michael Tallentire, Operations Director of Stanley Learning Partnership on (01207) 266702.
Whilst Greenland Community Primary School is not a maintained school, should you wish to contact your Local Authority please call 03000 26 0000.
To view our Complaints Policy please click here: School Policies.
Review of Policy and Practice
In order to ensure that best practice is maintained, our policies are regularly reviewed to incorporate the latest statutory guidance.
Key policies can be found on our Policy page. To view them please click here: School Policies.
Paper, braile or translated copies are available by contacting our Main Office on (01207) 232147.
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