North Newton Primary staff and governors are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. We expect all volunteers and parents/carers to share this commitment.

• Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Deborah Leach (Head Teacher)
• Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) is Laura Mayo (Senior Teacher)
• Our Safeguarding Governor is Mrs Kate Bown
• Our Chair of Governors is Mrs Kate Bown

Our school is a safe and happy environment for children where adults are vigilant about keeping them safe and a safeguarding culture is embedded throughout the school. All staff and volunteers are subject to safer recruitment checks on their appointment. We actively support the Government’s PREVENT Agenda to counter radicalisation and extremism.

We have several policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Safeguarding Policy.

Reporting Concerns:

We listen to our children and take seriously what they tell us. All school staff receive safeguarding training and children are made aware of the adults they can talk to if they have any concerns.

Staff are regularly trained to be aware of signs of physical/emotional harm or neglect and report these to Deborah Leach (DSL).

Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that a child is at immediate risk of harm.

Should the DSL and DDSL be off-site, please contact Janine Donovan at North Petherton Primary School (01278 662442), or Kevin Bryant at Somerset Bridge Primary School (01278 422100), explaining you have an urgent safeguarding concern.

If you have a concern about another member of staff’s behaviour towards a child/children, please report it immediately to the DSL/DDSL or to Anthony Goball (Local Authority Designated Officer)

Signing in and out

All visitors to North Newton Community Primary School must sign in and out in the school office. Visitors will be issued with a visitor’s sticker which must be worn at all times. When leaving school, all visitors must sign out and return their sticker to the office

What are my responsibilities as a visitor?

Please remember that our main concern is always for the children, this overrides concerns for any adult, including parents and staff. We all have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children. Visitors should act promptly if they witness an incident which could give them rise to concern. It is unlikely that in a single visit you would spot any safeguarding concerns, but should this happen all incidents must be reported to a member of staff. 

How do I ensure my behaviour is always appropriate?

Appropriate relationships with our children should be based on mutual trust and respect; You should model respectful behaviour. Our children are very well behaved and polite but they are children and do get it wrong from time to time. If you spot any disrespectful behaviour please report it to a member of staff who will deal with it.

DO NOT photograph, record or video children without permission.

Fire and Evacuation

The alarm is a continuous bell and you must leave by the nearest exit. Make your way out of the building and onto the playground. The Fire Assembly Point is left of the front gate here you will be recorded as present by a member of staff/ Do not take any personal risks. Do not re-enter the school until you are informed it is safe to do so.

If you feel you need support to help your child keep safe online, CEOP have many resources which can help. The following link is a good place to start.

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

Whistleblowing Policy – every maintained school has a school whistleblowing policy that protects staff members who report colleagues they believe are doing something wrong or illegal, or who are neglecting their duties. Whistleblowing is when a worker reports suspected wrongdoing at work.