Safeguarding
Safeguarding/Child Protection
Weald Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of our pupils. Each pupil’s welfare is of paramount importance and we are committed to upholding every child’s right to be safe. We will always take a considered and sensitive approach in order that we can support all of our pupils. We have a Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection Policy on our website which states our school procedures regarding concerns raised about a child. This is in line with Department for Education (DFE) guidance which is set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE September 2022) which incorporates a range of related responsibilities for schools and newer statutory duties introduced to protect children and young people.
Safeguarding encompasses all the things we do to protect our children. All schools have a legal duty to protect children and at Weald Rise, our duty of care is to our children above everything else. Safeguarding includes child protection, health and safety, attendance and punctuality, anti-bullying and preventing child-on-child abuse, preventing risk of radicalisation, e-safety, Disclosure and Barring checks on staff and adults in the school and behaviour including ensuring no discrimination based on race, cultural background, sexual identity/orientation, disability, religion or gender. All staff have annual training including regular updates to ensure they are vigilant and keeping child safety at the forefront of what they do.
Child Protection
If a child discloses something which has made them feel unsafe, we listen and note it down.
Depending on the nature of the disclosure, we may speak to parents/carers or contact Children’s Services for advice.
Sometimes this can mean an uncomfortable conversation with families however all staff are committed to listening to the child and responding to what they say.
We will work with families to address and resolve any concerns as ultimately the best place for a child is within a safe family unit.
What if you have a concern?
If you have a concern about your child's safety in school, please speak to us straight away to your child’s class teacher. If you feel it is more serious, a member of the Safeguarding team will meet you.
If your concerns are regarding the safety of another child in school, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Preventing Radicalisation and Extremism
Radicalisation is defined as the act or process of making a person more radical or favouring of extreme or fundamental changes in political, economic or social conditions, institutions or habits of the mind.
Extremism is defined as the holding of extreme political or religious views.
Weald Rise Primary School has a zero tolerance approach to extremist behaviour for all school community members. We rely on our strong values to steer our work and ensure the pastoral care of our children protects them from exposure to negative influences.
We at Weald Rise Primary School are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its children. As a school we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability. All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
- Children are encouraged to adopt these key “British Values” of tolerance, respect, understanding, compassion and harmonious living.
- Children are helped to understand the importance of democracy and freedom of speech, through the SEAL (Social, emotional aspects of learning) assemblies.
- Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, in school and when using the internet.
- Children participate in local community events so that they appreciate and value their neighbours and friends who may not share their faith background.
- Children’s wellbeing, confidence and resilience are promoted through our planned curriculum and extra curricular learning opportunities.
- Children are supported in making good choices from a very young age, so they understand the impact and consequences of their actions on others.
Operation Encompass
At Weald Rise Primary School, we are committed to the continuous safeguarding of our children and families and promote the ethos that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
As part of our commitment to safeguarding, Weald Rise Primary School has been given the opportunity to take part in a nationwide project that will run jointly between schools and the Metropolitan Police.
Operation Encompass is a unique Police and Education early intervention safeguarding partnership which ensures that a child's school is informed, prior to the start of the next school day, that there has been an incident of Domestic Abuse to which the child or young person has been exposed. The school is informed of all Domestic Abuse incidents, not just those where an offence can be identified or those which are graded as high risk. The partnership recognises that all incidents of Domestic Abuse can be harmful to children and young people.
Operation Encompass will ensure that the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is trained to allow them to liaise with the police and to use the information that has been shared, in confidence. The school will then be able to make provision for possible difficulties experienced by children, or their families, who have been involved in, or exposed to, a domestic abuse incident.
We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved.
