St John’s CE Academy
Safeguarding
At St John’s CE Academy, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and sits at the heart of all we do. Nothing is more important than keeping children safe. When children feel safe, happy and supported, they are able to thrive, learn and flourish.
We are committed to creating a culture where pupils are protected, listened to and cared for. Safeguarding includes promoting children’s welfare, protecting them from harm, supporting their mental and physical wellbeing, and ensuring they grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.
All staff, governors, volunteers and regular visitors share responsibility for safeguarding. Every adult in our school is expected to remain vigilant, act professionally and report any concern immediately.
We follow safer recruitment procedures, carry out all required pre-employment checks including DBS clearance, and ensure staff receive regular safeguarding training and updates. Visitors and volunteers are also provided with safeguarding guidance so that everyone on site understands their responsibilities.
Our Safeguarding Team
Our designated safeguarding team leads on child protection, early help and safeguarding processes across the school. Any concerns are taken seriously, recorded appropriately and followed up without delay.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Tracy Gardiner – Primary Head of School
- Deputy DSL: Callum Jackson – Secondary Head of School
- Deputy DSL: Sandy Morris-Hornby – Inclusion Lead and SENCO
- Deputy DSL: Vanessa Hope – EYFS Lead
- Safeguarding Governor: Alan McPherson – Chair of Governors
If you have a concern
If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please contact the school as soon as possible through any member of staff or by emailing the school office, who will ensure the concern is passed to the safeguarding team promptly.
We encourage families to share concerns early so that support can be put in place quickly and appropriately. No concern is too small if it relates to the safety or wellbeing of a child.
We would like to take this opportunity to signpost avenues of support should you have an urgent safeguarding concern. These are particularly important to be aware of if you have a concern outside of the school day, when St John's safeguarding team are not routinely accessing emails.
Worried about a child?
It is everybody’s responsibility to keep children and young people safe. If you’re concerned that a child is being abused or neglected you should report it so that the child can be protected.
If you think a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
If you are concerned that a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect, contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH):
- Telephone: 0345 050 7666
- Office Hours: 8:30am–5:00pm Monday to Thursday, 8:30am–4:00pm Friday
- Emergency Duty Team (outside office hours): 0800 833 408
The MASH service is the front door to Children’s Social Care and should be contacted where there are immediate safeguarding concerns or risk of significant harm.
Examples may include:
- Allegations/concerns that the child has been sexually/physically abused
- Concerns that the child is suffering from severe neglect or other severe health risks
- Concern that a child is living in or will be returned to a situation that may place them at immediate risk
- The child is frightened to return home
- The child has been abandoned or parent is absent
A special helpline is available if you are concerned that a child you know is being sexually exploited. Contact the Kingfisher Team on 01865 309196.
IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT ONLINE SEXUAL ABUSE OR THE WAY SOMEONE HAS BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH A CHILD ONLINE
https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre
PREVENT Strategy
As part of St John's commitment to safeguarding and child protection we support the governments Prevent Strategy. All staff have received training covering the Prevent Strategy.
The Prevent Strategy is about safeguarding people and communities from the threat of terrorism. It is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
Information Sharing with Other Agencies
At St John's, we consider that a child’s safety and welfare is of paramount importance for their emotional, social and academic progress. In some circumstances, decisions have to be made about sharing personal information with other agencies where the needs of children in our care are compromised. The most important consideration in sharing information with other agencies is the need to safeguard and protect children. We follow the following guidelines about information sharing:
- The Data Protection Act provides a framework for appropriate sharing of information.
- We are open and honest with the individual about whom the information will be shared with.
- We seek advice from other practitioners, if in any doubt, and will try to do so without disclosing an individual’s identity.
- We share information with informed consent, where possible, and share without consent if a child’s safety is at risk.
- We base information-sharing decisions on the safety and well-being of the individual or others.
Online Safety Information
Children at our school use the internet on a regular basis as part of their learning. In school, we have regular eSafety activities to remind children of the importance of keeping themselves safe online.
Report online abuse by clicking the button below:
Below are a few links to some very useful information regarding e-safety for parents, carers and children:
- Think U Know – containing internet safety advice for those aged from 5 to 16, along with parents and teachers. This site is produced by CEOP (the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre).
- Kidscape – An organisation which helps to prevent bullying and child abuse.
- Childline – ChildLine is the free helpline for children and young people in the UK.
- BBC Stay Safe – Test your Internet safety knowledge with Hacker and help the Horrible Histories gang stay safe online
- Childnet International – website to “help make the Internet a great and safe place for children."