Safeguarding
At St Andrew’s School, the welfare of our students is of paramount importance. Our school maintains an ethos where students feel secure, are encouraged to talk, are listened to and are safe. Our students are taught what to do if they are worried about something and who to go to for help. They are taught to identify staff and visitors in school and clear reporting of any concerns ensures that any worries are addressed quickly.
Everyone who comes into contact with students and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children. We recognise that staff at our school play a particularly important role as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for students to prevent concerns from escalating. All staff are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned. When concerned about the welfare of a student, staff members must always act in the best interests of the student.
All staff and regular visitors will, through training and induction, know how to recognise indicators of concern, how to respond to a disclosure from a child and how to record and report this information. We will not make promises to any child and we will not keep secrets. Every child will know what the adult may have to do with any information they have chosen to disclose.
Our curriculum regularly covers areas such as e-safety and personal safety. The website also signposts where families can receive advice and guidance on safeguarding outside of school.
All adults who work or volunteer in school are subject to a DBS check and are asked to wear a badge to identify who they are. They are all given safeguarding and Prevent training and receive regular updates. Any visitors to the school are also asked to sign in at the school office and wear a visitor’s badge.
Carol McKean – Safeguarding and Welfare Manager
Designated Safeguarding Lead,
Senior Mental Health Lead
Adrian Crossland – Headteacher
Alternate Safeguarding Lead
Jim Collin - SENCO
Alternative Safeguarding Lead
Photographs of these members of staff and their contact details are displayed throughout the school so they are easily identifiable.