Shorne Church of England Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Our Child Protection Policy contains the following safeguarding statement:
- Shorne Church of England Primary School is a community and all those directly connected (staff, governors, parents, families and pupils) have an essential role to play in making it safe and secure.
- Shorne Church of England Primary School recognises our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children with their best interests at the centre of our work.
- Shorne Church of England Primary School recognises the importance of providing an ethos and environment within the school that will help children to feel safe, secure, and respected; encourage them to talk openly; and enable them to feel confident that they will be listened to. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection, and justice.
Our school’s core safeguarding principles are:
- That schools are an important part of the wider safeguarding system for children
- It is a whole school’s responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children as its paramount concern
- All children (defined as those up to the age of 18) regardless of age, gender, ability, culture, race, language, religion, or sexual identity, have equal rights to protection
- All children have a right to be heard and to have their wishes and feelings taken into account
- All staff understand the safe professional practice and adhere to our code of conduct and other associated policies
- All staff have a responsibility to recognise vulnerability in children and act on any concern in accordance with this guidance
There are four main elements to our safeguarding policy:
- Prevention (e.g. positive, supportive, safe school culture, curriculum and pastoral opportunities for children, safer recruitment procedures);
- Protection (by following the agreed procedures, ensuring all staff are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to safeguarding concerns);
- Support (for all pupils, parents and staff, and where appropriate specific intervention for those who may be at risk of harm);
- Working with parents and other agencies (to ensure appropriate communications and actions are undertaken).
- The procedures contained in this policy apply to all staff (including temporary staff and volunteers) and governors and are consistent with those of the Kent Safeguarding Children Board (KSCB).
Who to Contact
If you are ever concerned about the safety or well-being of someone at our school please talk to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead/Prevent Lead is Miss Hewett (Head of School)
In the event of the DSL being absent, the following members of staff have been trained as a deputy:
- Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mr Mallinson (Joint Head of School/Deputy Head of School)
- Executive Headteacher: Mr T Muggridge
- SENDCo: Mrs K Doerr
- Family Liason Officer: Mrs C Reason
- The Nominated Safeguarding Governor: Carly Tutty-Johnson
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns about your child or other children at our school at safeguarding@shorne.kent.sch.uk.
If you believe that a child is in imminent danger, please contact Gravesham Children’s Social Care or the Police.