Safeguarding

Safeguarding Statement

Sutton-on-the-Forest 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. Safeguarding Statement Jan 24 Our Safeguarding lead is Helen Pye and Deputy Safeguarding lead is Jodie Pugh (as of January 2024). We work under the guidance of the Department for Education. Please see ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education – Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges Part One‘ and the school’s Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy. School CP Policy Jan 24

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment. Some of these can be viewed below or follow this link Policies

Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.

If you have any concerns about a child or adult’s safety, welfare or general wellbeing, please ensure that you speak with a member of our safeguarding team Safeguarding Poster Jan 2024

Children can approach any of the people on this poster if they have concerns or worries Safeguarding poster for children

Click here to read our Child Protection Policy School CP Policy Jan 24

Parents and Carers

We strongly believe that our school should be a welcoming and safe place for our children, staff, parents and visitors alike and that our parents share that belief. We have legal responsibilities for the safeguarding and well-being of children and staff, and a duty of care to all users of our school.

All adults who enter our school site at any time set examples of behaviour and conduct which influence children and young people and we believe that they should therefore demonstrate high standards of conduct in order to encourage our pupils to do the same. Parents and carers must show respect to all other parents and carers, children and staff.

Adults who do not behave in an acceptable manner may be asked to leave the site and the Headteacher has the right to further restrict their access.

Behaviour which is regarded as unacceptable includes:

  • Physical abuse, threatening, oppressive or aggressive behaviour or use of offensive language towards other adults, staff or children
  • Entering the school site under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Smoking anywhere on the school site (this includes e-cigarettes)
  • Bringing dogs, with the exception of Assistance Dogs, on to the school site without the explicit permission of the Headteacher
  • Mobile phone use on the school site, without the explicit permission of the Headteacher (or in the case of an emergency)

School-related issues which parents or carers have concerning school, pupils or their families must be brought to the attention of a member of staff. Parents or carers must not try to resolve any issues themselves by direct action on site. If issues cannot be successfully resolved by speaking to a staff member, parents’ and carers’ correct course of action is use our Complaints Procedure as appropriate

We expect all communication between parents and school to be conducted in a polite and respectful manner. Communication may be similarly restricted if it becomes unacceptable

Thank you for your cooperation.

The school shares a purpose with parents to keep children safe from harm and to have their welfare promoted. If you have concerns about a child being at risk of harm, please speak to Mrs Pye, a member of our Safeguarding Team or you can report concerns to a range of agencies. Information for parents are on the following websites:

CPOMS (Child Protection Online Management System)

At Sutton, we use CPOMS. This is a software application for monitoring child protection, safeguarding and a whole range of pastoral and welfare issues. The software helps with the management and recording of child protection, behavioural issues, bullying, special educational needs, domestic issues and much much more. By using CPOMS, we can ensure that pupils are safe and fully supported, whilst school staff can focus on teaching and providing support, instead of administration. Every member of staff across school has an obligation to report any concerns which they may have. CPOMS allows them to record information in a central repository and have relevant people alerted immediately.

Smoothwall Monitor Information

Smoothwall Monitor is a human moderated digital monitoring solution. It alerts designated school staff to students suspected of becoming vulnerable based on their digital behaviours.
What a child does, says or shares online can, often unknowingly, place them in harm’s way, For example inappropriate online conversations, cyberbullying, sexual grooming, harmful image sharing, oversharing personal information, racism and more.
A child’s behaviour can also reveal concerns in other parts of their lives that they may be unwilling or unable to speak about. These can include suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, radicalisation, self-harm, depression, violence and others. Smoothwall Monitor Information

Prevent Statement

On 1st July 2015 the Prevent duty (section 26) of The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 came into force. This duty places the responsibility on local authorities and schools to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

Sutton on the Forest Church of England Primary School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. As a school we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is as important as safeguarding against any other vulnerability.

All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. We believe that children should be given the opportunity to explore diversity and understand Britain as a multi-cultural society; everyone should be treated with respect whatever their race, gender, sexuality, religious belief, special need, or disability.

As part of our commitment to safeguarding and child protection we fully support the government’s Prevent Strategy.

Operation Encompass

Sutton on the Forest Church of England Primary School is part of a project that runs jointly between all schools, academies and colleges in North Yorkshire and North Yorkshire Police.

This project, Operation Encompass, has been designed to provide early reporting to schools of any domestic abuse incidents that occur outside of normal school hours and that might have had an impact on a child attending our premises the following day. This information will be shared at the earliest opportunity between Monday to Thursday and, when an incident occurs on a Friday, Saturday or a Sunday, the police will contact us on the following Monday.

Policies