Designated Safeguarding Leader - Mrs Katie Barnett (Headteacher)
Deputy Safeguarding Leader - Mrs Rebecca Marsden (Deputy Headteacher)
The Department for Education has commissioned the NSPCC to establish a dedicated independent helpline for people who have experienced sexual abuse in educational setting.
The helpline went live on 1 April, and will provide both children and adults who have experienced sexual abuse in schools with support and advice, including onward action such as contacting the police if they wish to. The helpline will also provide support to parents and professionals. Anyone who gets in touch through this dedicated helpline will also be signposted to other relevant support services available, including Childline, which provides ongoing support and counselling to children and young people.
The dedicated and confidential NSPCC helpline – Report Abuse in Education can be reached on 0800 136 663 or by email at help@nspcc.org.uk.
Safeguarding - Keeping children healthy and safe from harm
During the current situation with regards Covid-19, we’ve an additional section (‘addendum’) to our Safeguarding Policy.
If you’re worried that a child or young person is at risk or is being abused, report it.
Our pupils are continually taught and encouraged to live healthy lifestyles and adopt safe practices. Our safeguarding policies and practices help to ensure that they are safe, happy and healthy.
School policies are in place to ensure that there is a consistent approach to practices throughout the school and that they are followed by staff, governors and volunteers.
Adults have a tremendous impact on young children and, with this in mind, adults at Thorp Arch Lady Elizabeth Hastings CE VA Primary:
- are good role models for children
- enjoy their work and working with children
- are conscientious and hard-working
- recognise and value strengths in each other and use these to support everyone
- work within the agreed policies of the school
- promote a happy, caring and safe school
- encourage children to think for themselves, ask questions and find answers
- create an environment of trust whereby children are trusted to work seriously
- challenge and support children in their learning.
As part of our curriculum for teaching and learning, we ensure that the issues of healthy eating, physical exercise and safety are taught. This aspect is enhanced by the many visitors to school, such as police officers who talk to the children about issues such as road safety, safe people and drugs awareness. In addition, there are many policies in place to safeguard our children, including:
Child Protection
This is sensitive area in which all staff receive regular training. Thorp Arch Lady Elizabeth Hastings CE VA Primary School and other services for children and families all work together to support the needs of children. There are two designated officers for child protection in school: Mrs Helen Dunn and Chris O'Malley. There is also a named governor for child protection. Read our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. This is based on the Leeds model policy but has been adapted to suit our particular context by school leaders and governing body. Our policy is reviewed annually in line with any changes that may have been made to the model policy by the safeguarding team, or to reflect other changes and best practice. This is to ensure the integration of current issues and good practice.
Domestic Violence
Thorp Arch Lady Elizabeth Hastings CE VA Primary School works closely with West Yorkshire Police to support children who are resident in households where there are incidents of domestic violence and abuse. Confidential information is provided to schools on any incidents of domestic violence and abuse which occur within a child’s household that might have an impact on a child whilst he or she is in school.
We know that children can be significantly physically or emotionally hurt, either by being present in the house or directly witnessing an incident of domestic violence. A member of the school staff is trained to use the information that has been shared, in confidence, so that the school is able to make provision for possible difficulties experienced by children or their families. We are keen to offer the best possible support to our pupils and we believe this is beneficial for all those involved.
If you would like further support or information about domestic violence and abuse, please go to www.leedsdomesticviolenceandabuse.co.uk.
If you need to speak to a member of staff about this, please contact Mrs Dunn in the first instance.
Attendance
Children’s attendance at school is monitored on a daily basis and notable absences or patterns of absences are followed up by school.
Behaviour
High standards of behaviour are expected in our school. Our Behaviour Policy sets out how we promote good behaviour and deal with any problems. Our children are often reminded about our school rules and they know that we have them in order for everyone to be happy and keep safe.
Health and Safety
Everyone at Thorp Arch Lady Elizabeth Hastings CE VA Primary knows they have a responsibility to ensure children and adults are able to work in a healthy and safe environment. We have several first-aiders amongst our staff – they deal with illnesses and accidents should they occur.
Curriculum
Through the planned curriculum, we ensure that the issues of healthy eating, physical exercise and safety are taught. This aspect is enhanced by themed weeks and many visitors to school eg police officers who talk to the children about issues such as road safety, safe people and drugs awareness.
Online safety
Our Online Safety Policy sets out best practice around e-safety and draws attention to existing national guidance on this subject so that we can maintain the safest possible learning and working environments for children and staff alike. There are important appendices, that set our clear expectations around acceptable use of online activity for children, for parents/carers, and for staff.
We encourage parents/carers to read the acceptable use agreements, and to support their child at home to follow the same points to help them stay safe online.
Tell us if you’ve any concerns about your child’s and others’ use of technology.
Safer recruitment and selection
This aspect is taken very seriously. Governors and the school ensure that all staff new to the school and volunteers who work in school on a regular basis undertake a DBS check and full references are acquired before the person takes up post. SLT have received Safer Recruitment training.
Complaints
If parents have any complaints, we will listen to your concerns and will follow up any issues. The school is committed to working closely with parents / carers for the benefit of the children – no problem is too small. The headteacher will always be happy to meet with you and help resolve any issues and if you continue to feel an issue has not been resolved then you could contact our Governing Body.
Keeping Your Child Safe Online
How can you help to keep your children safe online?
The digital World is fast overtaking the real one and it is important that LEH Primary and Parents work together to ensure our children are safe both in the real World and online.
We very much hope these tips are useful
- Know what your children are doing online and who they are talking to. Ask them to teach you to use any applications you have never used.
- Keeping the computer in a family room means that you can share your child’s online experience – and that they are less likely to act inappropriately (i.e. via webcam).
- Help your children to understand that they should never give out personal details to online friends — personal information includes their messenger ID, email address, mobile number and any pictures of themselves, their family or friends. If your child publishes a picture or video online, anyone can change it or share it. Remind them that anyone may be looking at their images and one day a future employer could!
- If your child receives spam/junk email & texts, remind them never to believe them, reply to them or use them. It’s not a good idea for your child to open files that are from people they don’t know. They won’t know what they contain — it could be a virus, or worse — an inappropriate image or film.
- Help your child to understand that some people lie online and therefore it’s better to keep online mates online. They should never meet up with any strangers without an adult they trust.
- Always keep communication open for a child to know that it’s never too late to tell someone if something makes them feel uncomfortable.
- Teach young people how to block someone online and how to report them if they feel uncomfortable
LEH Pupil Acceptable Use Agreement 2021/22
Internet Safety
Visit Leeds Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) website to find advice about keeping children safe online as well other safeguarding advice for parents and carers.
Useful Websites
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FOR PUPILS http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/teachers/ks1/readsmartie.aspx |
FOR PARENTS Lets Talk about it https://www.ltai.info/staying-safe-online/
Net Aware
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Safer Internet Day
Visit the Safer Internet Day website for information about this year's online safety campaign. Parents and carers please click here for a wealth of really useful information for parents and carers about keeping children safe online on the UK Safer Internet Centre website.
Leeds City Council Prevent Strategy
Details of Leeds City Council's Prevent Strategy can be found by following this link.
Domestic Violence Notification and Support
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Domestic Violence Support Leeds Domestive Violence Service 24hr helpline 0113 246 0401