For Parents / Carers:
We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils. We will endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where pupils are respected and valued.
We will be alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and will follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice.
The information on this page will summarise how we meet our safeguarding and child-protection responsibilities, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023).
- Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs G Padfield *During Maternity leave this will Mr. S Garrood
- Our Deputy Safeguarding Leads are Mr S Garrood and Mrs R Clarke
- Our designated Governor for Safeguarding is Mrs J Egan
If you have any questions about this information, you can contact any of the above staff on 01226 381273.
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OR WELFARE OF YOUR CHILD, OR A CHILD YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULD ACT WITHOUT DELAY.
What we will do if we have a concern about your child:
If we are concerned that your child may be at risk of abuse or neglect, we must follow the agreed safeguarding procedures. The procedures have been written to protect all pupils. They comply with our statutory responsibilities and are designed to support pupils, families and staff. The procedures are based on the principle that the welfare of the child is the most important consideration.
In almost all circumstances, we will talk to you about our concerns and we will also tell you if we feel we must refer our concerns to Children’s Social Care. If we think that talking to you first might in some way increase the risk to your child, we will report our concerns to Children’s Social Care and take advice from them.
All child-protection records are kept separate from your child’s general school file. The only members of staff who have access to the records are those who need to know about the concerns in order to protect and support your child.
Child protection is a very sensitive issue and it raises many questions and a range of strong emotions. We will do everything we can do to support our pupils and you can be assured that any action we take will be in the best interests of your child.
A Copy of our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be viewed here:
HCAT Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 2023
A copy of our sexual violence and sexual harassment policy can be viewed here:
HCAT Sexual Violence and Sexual Harrassment between Children Policy 2022