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Safeguarding Statement

The health, safety and welfare of all our children are of paramount importance to all the adults who work in our school.  Our children have the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, race, culture or disability.  They have a right to be safe in our school and out of school.

In the interest of safeguarding children there may be occasions when the school has to consult other agencies without a parent's prior knowledge.  The school's first concern is the child's welfare and the school has a duty to act to protect the child at all times.

Such consultation may result in a formal referral which could prompt visits from social services and/or the police.

The role of St. Mary’s C of E Primary School in Safeguarding pupils.

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children. School staff are particularly important as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children, to prevent concerns from escalating.  Schools and their staff form part of the wider safeguarding system for children.

This system is described in statutory guidance “Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022”.  Schools should work with social care, the police, health services and other services to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.

Each school should have a designated safeguarding lead who will provide support to staff members to carry out their safeguarding duties and who will liaise closely with other services such as children's social care.

The Teachers' Standards 2012 state that teachers, including headteachers, should safeguard children's wellbeing and maintain public trust in the teaching profession as part of their professional duties.

Key Contacts within the School

Key Contacts within the Local Authority