We are committed to ensuring children at our schools are safe. Safeguarding our school community is of paramount importance. We ensure that all our staff are aware of, and have the skills to deal with, any child protection or safeguarding concerns. We have robust recruitment procedures and professional development programmes which ensure that all our staff uphold our strong ethos and values.

Your child’s safety and welfare is of paramount importance, overriding all other considerations. Schools are legally required to follow set procedures and the LA requires the Head Teacher or a Designated Senior Person (DSP) for Child Protection to report any obvious or suspected cases of child abuse, which includes non-accidental injury, severe physical neglect, emotional abuse and/or sexual abuse.

This procedure is intended to protect children at risk. Our Child Protection Policy is also available from the school office on request.

Anyone who works in an unsupervised capacity with children, whether paid or voluntary, will require DBS (Disclosure Barring Services) certification.

We are committed to ensuring that all staff and adults with responsibility for children’s safety and welfare are trained to deal with incidents involving aggressive behaviour and only use physical intervention as a last resort, in line with DfE and LA advice.  If used at all, it will be in the context of a respectful, supportive relationship with the pupil.  We will aim to ensure minimal risk of injury to pupils and staff.

If you are concerned…

If you are concerned about the well-being or safety of a particular child, please do not hesitate to contact a member of staff to discuss your concerns further.  Alternatively, you could also contact either the Local Authority Social Services Department at County Hall or the NSPCC.

Key Safeguarding Contacts

Kirsty Jamieson – Head of Inclusion and Safeguarding

The Mead Primary School:
Designated Safeguarding Lead – Miss Emma Holton
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads – Mr Rob Cunningham & Mrs Jennie Jones

River Mead School:
Designated Safeguarding Lead – Mrs Karen Austin
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads – Ms Leale Purdie, Miss Louise Harrison & Mrs Emma Larkham

Castle Mead School:
Designated Safeguarding Lead – Mrs Tracy Boulton
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads – Mrs Harriet Phillips. Mrs Gaby Simons & Mrs Polly Marsh