Safeguarding and child protection encompasses a wide variety of issues including health and safety, site security, safety on school trips, online safety, mental health and anti-bullying along with all forms of maltreatment, exploitation, abuse or neglect.  Our robust safeguarding and child protection policy and procedures have been developed in conjunction with independent child protection experts and reflect the importance we place on ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all those at the school.

Our approach to safeguarding is overseen on a day-to-day basis by our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) who are supported by a team of Deputy Safeguarding Officers.  Hannah Dury is the DSL for any safeguarding concerns that arise within the school setting and Eleanor Dall is the DSL for any safeguarding issues that arise in the home environment.  Both Hannah and Eleanor are trained in the latest safeguarding practices and guidelines and liaise with external child protection experts to ensure that the arrangements we have in place reflect the highest possible standards.

All other staff receive regular safeguarding training so that they are able quickly to identify any concerns of a safeguarding nature and know exactly what to do if action is required.  Our HR department is responsible for ensuring that all new staff are thoroughly vetted in accordance with the relevant national guidelines.  This includes a requirement for all new staff members to undergo an enhanced DBS check to confirm their suitability to work with vulnerable children.

Whilst the internet is a wonderful educational resource and great for staying in touch with family and friends, it’s important to stay safe online.  With that in mind, all young people are timetabled to attend the school’s IT and internet safety course run jointly by members of the school’s IT team, teaching team and safeguarding officers.

In the interests of preventing access to inappropriate or harmful material online, appropriate controls are in place on the Wi-Fi in the school and homes.  Further, where risk assessed as necessary for safeguarding purposes, the school may operate appropriate monitoring of internet use and email communications through the use of keyword-based filtering software.  We ensure that any such monitoring is no more intrusive than necessary having regard to each young person’s need for privacy and is only carried out with the written consent of the relevant placing authority.