Safeguarding Our Pupils
Mark First & Pre-school C of E Academy – Safeguarding Statement
At Mark First & Pre-school CE Academy we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure children and young people receive effective support, protection and justice.
The Governors of Mark First & Pre-school CE Academy are committed to the safeguarding of all children, staff and visitors at the Academy. Safeguarding is a high priority, with arrangements in place to ensure children feel, and are safe, both on Academy premises and during off-site activities. The Academy follows the Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2021’ and ‘Working together to safeguard children July 2021’. The learner experience and individual achievement and development are paramount and safeguarding initiatives are developed to impact positively upon this. The Academy also ensures that safeguarding legislation and guidance is adhered to and taken into account when developing and revisiting policies, procedures and associated arrangements.
The Academy provides a safe physical environment for its learners, staff and visitors, ensuring that site and premises are of a good standard. Health and Safety arrangements are in place to ensure adherence to current legislation and guidance and Safeguarding is included as a regular agenda item on all routine Academy meetings.
Applicants applying for vacancies will be subject to recruitment and selection procedures designed to emphasise the Academy’s commitment to the safeguarding of its learners and staff. The procedures include the use of application forms, pre-employment vetting, enhanced DBS checks, barred list checks, prohibition checks, references and interview questioning. The Academy has a robust induction plan for all new staff and volunteers which includes Safeguarding, Prevent and Health and Safety training.
The Academy has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Fiona Robertson, Executive Headteacher. The Pre-school has its own DSL, Lisa Banwell, Pre-School Manager. Both DSLs are supported by deputies - Joanna Collyer (DDSL), Head of School; Carolyn Brierley (DDSL), SEND Assistant and Louise Prewett (DDSL), Pre-School Deputy Manager. The DSL is responsible for Child Protection and Safeguarding. The Academy has policies and procedures in place to deal effectively with child protection and safeguarding issues together with recording and monitoring processes.
All staff are trained to an appropriate level to fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities. Training is updated annually, together with ongoing safeguarding briefings, training sessions, staff meetings, and awareness sessions, throughout the academic year.
The Academy’s commitment to safeguarding is paramount to the success of the learners. Academy Governors and the Senior Leadership Team will continue to keep abreast of developments in this area and implement arrangements to improve ongoing safety and awareness of its learners, staff, volunteers and visitors.
The Academy follows guidance from the following documents and agency
Keeping Children Safe in Education – September 2021
With the holidays coming up, is now a good time to have a family agreement about the use of technology? A family agreement is a great way to start a conversation with your whole family about how you all use the internet and discuss together how to behave in a positive way when online at home, at school or at a friend’s house. A good example is the Childnet Family Agreement which can be found here:http://www.childnet.com/resources/family-agreement
Our pupils are increasingly using Information Communication Technology (ICT) in schools and in the home. Online-safety (previously e-safety) is concerned with supporting our children and young people to develop safe on-line behaviours both in and out of school. We need to educate our whole school community about the risks and benefits of new technologies so that we are confident and responsible users.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection
Are you worried about the way someone has been communicating with you or your child online? You can make a report to one of CEOP's Child Protection Advisors.
The website below also has a range of information about keeping yourself or a child you know safe from child exploitation.
