Our number one priority…

We recognise our statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility, and everyone has a role to play. All members of our school community have an important role to play in safeguarding children and have an essential part in making our community safe and secure.  

Staff maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned. If staff have a concern about the welfare of a child, they will always act in the best interest of the child and if any member of our community has a concern they must act immediately.  

Schools play an essential role in protecting children from abuse and neglect. Our school keeps all children safe by: 

• Creating safe environments for children and young people through robust safeguarding practices 

• Ensuring that adults who work in the school, including volunteers, don’t pose a risk to children 

• Making sure staff are trained, know how to respond to concerns and keep up to date with policy and practice 

• Teaching children about staying safe 

• Maintaining an environment where children feel confident to approach any member of staff if they have a worry or a problem 

• Being proactive against bullying and racist behaviour  

• Protecting our children from harassment and discrimination 

• Maintaining a positive approach to behaviour management  

• Protecting our children from substance abuse 

• Ensuring children are safe when using the internet and making sure they are aware of cyber bullying  

• Ensuring our school site is safe  

We pride ourselves on our Safeguarding procedures here at Steephill. Every three weeks, our Safeguarding team meet to discuss priorities in our practices.

The team comprises of:

• Mrs H Millward (Head Teacher/Designated Safeguarding Lead)
• Mrs C Ross (Deputy Head Teacher/Designated Safeguarding Lead)
• Mrs S Spender (Designated Safeguarding Lead/Early Years Leader)
• Mrs J Sparks - Governor for Safeguarding
• Mrs H Thurgood - Governor for Safeguarding

At the beginning of the academic year, the team set an action plan highlighting the priorities for that year. These targets are reviewed during every meeting. The team discuss everything about Safeguarding including:

• Child Protection
• Health and Safety
• Curriculum
• Behaviour
• Attendance
• Medical Needs Procedures and much more

Our 'how to report a concern' poster is placed in each classroom, office, staffroom and in many other rooms around the school:

Along with our Safeguarding Policy and other school policies (see the separate Policies tab on our Home page), please find some useful advice and information for parents below:

As you know, parenting is both rewarding and challenging. The NSPCC has a fabulous page of parenting resources, with advice to help you and your children including: working from home, divorce and separation, baby parenting tips, mental health, racism and safeguarding. Please do take a look by clicking on the link above.

Parents Protect

•  aims to prevent child abuse by raising awareness and encouraging early recognition of warning signs of abuse and identifying and responses to the problem by abusers themselves and those close to them;
• this includes online safety advice.

Internet Matters

• age-specific online safety checklists;
• guides on how to set parental controls on a range of devices;
• you’ll find a host of practical tips to help children get the most out of their digital world.

Government advice regarding tackling child abuse, including:

• spotting the signs;
• 5 short videos of the different types of abuse to look out for.

A range of content designed to:

• give you more information about mental health;
• help you to look after your mental health.

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are Mrs Millward, Mrs Ross and Mrs Spender.