Elm Hall Primary School

Elm Hall Primary School takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young people in our care.

We recognise that children cannot learn unless they feel happy and secure. We adhere to stringent Safeguarding procedures to protect the welfare of all the children who come here. We are committed to keeping children safe and aim to:

• Create a culture of vigilance where the welfare of our children is promoted and where timely and appropriate safeguarding action is taken
• Establish and maintain an environment where children feel safe and secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened to
• Ensure that children know that there are adults within the school they can approach if they are worried or are in difficulty
• Ensure children receive the right help at the right time to address risks and prevent issues escalating
• Include in the curriculum activities and opportunities which equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from abuse and to develop healthy and safe relationships
• Include in the curriculum material which will help children develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of adult life
• Protect children from harm and to ensure that they are taught in a way that is consistent with the law and our values and to promote respect for all others
• Facilitate understanding of wider issues within the context of learning about the values on which our society is founded and our system of democratic government
• Provide a curriculum which actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
• Promote tolerance of and respect for people of all faiths (or those of no faith), races, genders, ages, disabilities and sexual orientations
• Make parents aware of the school policies and practices for safeguarding and ensure that, wherever possible, every effort will be made to establish open and honest effective working relationships with parents and colleagues from partner agencies.

It is the moral and legal duty of all adults in charge of children to be ready to protect a child in danger of abuse. Education staff have a responsibility to be ready to observe, monitor and refer suspected abuse. We are committed to:

• Providing training for staff in recognising signs, symptoms and behaviour which are symptomatic of abuse and in responding appropriately
• Establishing good procedures and practices in relation to record keeping
• Any member of staff suspecting child abuse or neglect must refer their suspicions to the Designated Child Protection Officer or their Deputy in their absence, who will then refer to Social Services, if appropriate.

Please see our Child Protection Policy and Safeguarding Policy for further information.

Our Designated Child Protection officer is: Mr Michael Wood, Headteacher

Our Designated Deputy Child Protection Officers are: Mrs Louise Sage (Assistant Headteacher)

If you are concerned about the welfare of any pupil in the school then please arrange an appointment to speak to the Designated Officer or their deputy.