Safeguarding

Safeguarding
As a school, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. We recognise that everyone who comes into contact with children has a duty to safeguard and promote children’s welfare.

We ensure that all appropriate measures are applied in relation to everyone who works in the school who is likely to be perceived by the children as a safe and trustworthy adult, including governors and volunteers. All members of staff therefore, whether paid or voluntary, are required to have an enhanced DBS check and are not allowed to start work at the school until this check has been completed.

The school shares a purpose with parents to educate, keep children safe from harm and have their welfare promoted. We are committed to working with parents positively, openly and honestly. We always encourage parents to discuss any concerns they may have with the school as soon as possible.

The school employs a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet (e-safety). The school has developed an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP); the aim of this policy is to ensure that pupils/students benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school’s Internet and Computing resources in a safe and effective manner. We ask parents/carers of the school to sign this policy which outlines ways they can encourage their child to use the Internet in a safe way when they are at home. The School Council have worked with their peers and have designed e-safety rules which are displayed in all classrooms.

The school has identified the Head Teacher as the Designated Safeguarding Lead with responsibility for child protection. The school has additionally identified other members of the Senior Leadership Team as Deputy Safeguarding Leads; this is to ensure the safety and welfare of our learners remains paramount over the school's split site. All members of the Senior Leadership Team have undertaken specific child protection training which includes how to fulfil their role. Refresher training by the Senior Leadership Team is undertaken at two yearly intervals.

All other school staff, including non-teaching staff, volunteers and governors undertake appropriate in house training to equip them to carry out their responsibilities for child protection effectively. This is kept up to date by annual refresher training. There are robust arrangements which ensure all staff know how to raise any concern in relation to the welfare of our pupils.

Curnow School has a designated Safeguarding and Whistleblowing governor; additionally two of our governors have undertaken ‘safer recruitment training’ alongside the Head Teacher and School Business Manager. This training is updated every two years to keep the school in line with all statutory guidance. Safeguarding is an established agenda item at each full governor meeting.

The school has established a health, safety and well-being committee which meets on a termly basis and reports back to the Local Governing Body & Trustees.

During our Ofsted inspection held in January 2013 the inspectors recognised that ‘all statutory safeguarding procedures are in place’.

Please refer to our Child Protection / Safeguarding Policy documentation below.

Child Protection/Safeguarding Information
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child at Curnow School please or Caroline Jewell (Designated Safeguarding Lead), Rob Armstrong or Sam Murray (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads) on 01209 215432.
Alternatively you could report your concern to the Multi- Agency Referral Unit (MARU) on 0300 1234 116