Keeping Children Safe in Education

The safety of your children at St Mary’s is a priority. We provide a caring and safe environment for all children to play and learn.

St Mary’s VC Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. The health and safety of all children is paramount. As a school, we will take all reasonable action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our pupils. In cases where the school has reason to be concerned that a child may be subject to ill treatment, neglect or other forms of abuse, staff must follow the school’s Safeguarding Policy, which is in line with the DFE Keeping Children Safe In Education. We have rigorous systems to identify and action against any safeguarding concern. All staff are trained and up to date with safeguarding requirements.

The members of staff with designated safeguarding responsibility are:

Mrs McKenna – Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mrs Goodwin – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead & Teacher with responsibility for looked-after children (LAC)

Any concerns regarding safeguarding are reported to the DSL or the Deputy DSL. Safeguarding matters are confidential and are only shared on a ‘need-to-know’ basis with members of staff in order to ensure the safety and well-being of pupils. CPOMS is used in school which is an electronic system which supports effective communication of concerns and systematic recording of actions, at the same time as keeping information confidential and secure.

The statutory Department for Education guidance for schools and colleges on safeguarding children and safer recruitment can be accessed here:

Keeping_children_safe_in_education_2025

What to do if you have a concern about a child attending St Mary’s VC Academy

During school hours:

Contact school and speak to any of the safeguarding team on 01430 872330
Or if you are a young person, family member, carer, or member of the public and you want to discuss a child that you are worried about, or make a self-referral you can contact the Safeguarding and Partnership Hub (SaPH) during office hours on (01482) 395500 – Choose ‘Option 1’ and a social worker will be able to talk through your worries with you and discuss what happens next.

Out of school hours (including during school holidays):

If your concern is urgent and there is an immediate risk of harm, then contact the police on 999

Children’s Emergency Duty Team (CEDT):

If you have a worry about a child outside of office hours, the Children’s Emergency Duty Team (CEDT) operates to respond to emergency situations from 5pm until 8:30am Monday to Thursday and 4.30pm until 8:30am on a Friday and at weekends and bank holidays. CEDT responds to emergency situations that are unable to wait until the next working day.

These will relate to children’s safeguarding, potential placement, or family breakdowns and any other Children’s Services statutory work. Your call will be taken by a Lifeline operator.

The social worker will then make the decision if an intervention/additional information is needed that evening, or the situation can wait until the following morning when a children’s social work team or the Safeguarding and Partnership Hub (SaPH) will follow-up with the person sharing the information the following day.

You can contact the Children’s Emergency Duty Team on:

Tel: (01482) 393939

Safeguarding at St. Mary's VC Academy

Safeguarding Policy

Staff Code of Conduct

Whistleblowing Policy

Safeguarding Team