Safeguarding
Safeguarding statement
The safety and well-being of children is a core responsibility of the school: children who feel safe and happy will thrive. At St Mary’s, we take safeguarding, including our statutory responsibilities, very seriously. Please follow the link to read policies relating to safeguarding: Child Protection Policy, Anti-Bullying Policy, Behaviour Policy, Online Safety Policy.
We achieve this objective by:
- Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop.
- Supporting pupils who have been abused in accordance with his/her agreed child protection plan.
- Raising awareness of child protection issues and equipping children with the skills needed to keep them safe. Pupils are taught about safeguarding as a part of the national curriculum through PSHE, SRE and Religious Education.
- Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
- Ensuring we practise safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children.
- Staff development, including learning to recognise children in need of protection. This includes taking the stance that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
Prevent Strategy
Since July 2015 all schools (as well as other organisations) have had a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism under Prevent, a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes. The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including extreme right wing groups, violent Al Qa’ida-influenced groups and other causes. This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views the same way we protect them from drugs, gang violence, abuse and sexual exploitation. Importantly, we can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they better understand how to protect themselves.
Our Response
Many of the things we already do in school to help children become positive, happy members of society also contribute to the Prevent strategy. These include:
- Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity;
- Challenging prejudices and racist comments;
- Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity;
- Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural
- Development of pupils, as well as British values such as democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
We will also protect children from the risk of radicalisation, for example by using filters on the internet to make sure they can’t access extremist and terrorist material, and by vetting visitors who come into school to work with pupils.
The Head Teacher, Deputy Safeguarding Lead and Chair of Governors have received Prevent Awareness Training which has been cascaded to all staff working at St Mary’s.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Key Terms
Extremism – vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values such as democracy, the rule of law and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
Terrorism – a violent action against people or property, designed to create fear and advance a political, religious or ideological cause
Radicalisation – the process by which a person comes to support extremism and terrorism
If you have any further concerns or comments to make, please speak with Matthew Curzon, Head Teacher in the first instance. Parents can access the latest up-to-date advice and support at http://actearly.uk/