Safeguarding at High Ercall Primary School
Taken from our OFSTED report in March 2023:
Safeguarding is effective.
- Keeping children safe is the highest priority in this school.
- All staff receive regular training and weekly updates so that they have the information they need to keep the children safe.
- Staff identify and report any concerns quickly.
- The safeguarding leader is tenacious in following up any concerns so pupils and families get the help they need.
The below information and more can be found in our Keeping Children Safe leaflet in the related documents section on the right-hand side of the page and within our safeguarding policies which can be found here.
You can also find some useful information and links for Cyber Bullying and e-Safety on the Telford & Wrekin Safeguarding Children Board's website.
We are committed to creating a happy and safe environment for our children to learn. This page will help you understand how we keep your children safe by telling you:
- How children can be harmed
- What we must do to keep you child safe from harm
- What you must do as a parent to help your child be safe and enjoy school
Please also read our page about Early Help and supporting Mental Health.
Who Can I Speak To?
Our designated safeguarding members of staff (DSLs) are:
Mrs S. Roberts - Headteacher - Designated Safeguarding Lead - Designated Teacher for Looked after / Post Looked After Children - Early Help Lead
Mrs G Lingham - Deputy Headteacher - Safeguarding Deputy
Ms Gater - After School Club Manager - Safeguarding Deputy
All staff - all staff are well trained and will help you
Child Protection
This is an important subject in which all staff receive regular training and weekly updates. Our priority is to work with you but there may be times when we have to involve other people.
Everybody has a responsibility to keep all children under the age of 18 safe. Harm is identified in four ways:
- Physical - This is when a child is deliberately hurt or injured
- Sexual - This is when a child is influenced or forced to take part in a sexual activity. This can be a physical activity or none physical, e.g. being made to look at an inappropriate image.
- Emotional - This is when a child is made to feel frightened, worthless or unloved. It can be by shouting, using threats or making fun of someone. It can also be when children see their parents, or visitors to the home, fighting or using violence
- Neglect - This is when a child is not being taken care of by their parents. It can be poor hygiene, poor diet, not keeping appointments for additional support, not coming to school or being left home alone.
Safeguarding Issues
- Attendance - Your child's attendance is monitored daily and significant absences are always followed up in school, and with the LA if necessary. The school has an attendance policy that you should read and understand.
- Behaviour – High Ercall Primary has clear behaviour rules for the whole school community, including parents, that must be followed to keep everyone safe and happy. We understand that children do sometimes fall out and this will be dealt with by an adult who will listen the children involved and help to resolve the situation.
- Child on Child abuse including all forms of bullying - The school takes all cases of bullying very seriously and will work with children and families to try and resolve any problems. The school has an Anti-bullying Policy, a Child on Child Abuse Policy, a Behaviour Policy that you should read and understand, alongside our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.
- Health and Safety - Everyone at our school has a responsibility to keep adults and children work in a safe environment. The school has a clear health and safety policy which everyone must follow. The school have fully trained first aiders to deal with any accidents in school.
- Online safety ‐ The school recognises that technology plays and important role in the education of our children and is committed to safeguarding children in the virtual world. To support parents, the school website has e-safety information to help keep your children safe, including a monthly newsletter. Within school we have filters and blocks in place to keep your child safe. This meets the national Filtering and Monitoring Standards set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education. The children in all classes learn about keeping themselves safe on line within out PSHE and Computing lessons. Our recent parent PSHE workshop (May 2023) was well attended by parents - please see the parent help sheet in the documents on the right with website links to help parents and further advice.
- Complaints - If you have any complaints about how the school is working with you or your child, please feel confident to speak to us. The Head Teacher will always be happy to speak to you to resolve any difficulties. It is better to speak to us as soon as you have a concern so that it does not become a bigger issue. If you do not feel the matter has been resolved, you can raise your concerns with the governing body, through the Complaints Policy. We ask all parents to follow the correct procedures with regards to any concerns or complaints, and not use social media as a vehicle to express concerns.
What to do if you have concerns about a child
- Talk to Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Lingham, Ms Gater, or your child's class teacher - it could be a simple issue which can be resolved in school, or they will make the decision about who else can help.
- You can talk to Family Connect yourself: 01952 385385. they have a team of staff from all support agencies who will be able to help you with your concern, whether it is about your own child, or another child.
Helping your child stay safe
This is a really useful website for parents packed with lots of information:
NSPCC website is a great place to start with tips and information to help:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/search/?query=online%20safety%3A%20what%20parents%20need%20to%20know%20
BBC - This is a great website to help you help your child stay safe online.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/curations/stay-safe
Thinkuknow website
This has pages with activities for the children to do - within certain age bands, as well as really helpful information for parents and carers. Well worth a look.
Setting up parental controls at home:
This website might be useful - https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/interactive-guide/
ParentsProtect
A website for parents and carers with advice and guidance on specific aspects of abuse.