Safeguarding our Students
The health and wellbeing of our students, staff, and supporting families is very important to us in order to promote our school vision of “Living life in all its fullness.” Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of our children and young people and to protect them from harm, providing them with opportunities to “be the best that they can be” and achieve their desired outcomes. Safeguarding means protecting children from abuse and maltreatment.
We recognise that Safeguarding and Child Protection is an essential part of our “Duty of Care” to all students and all staff, we have a responsibility to provide a safe environment in which children can learn. We understand that safeguarding, child protection and promoting the welfare of all children is everyone’s responsibility and everyone has a role to play in protecting children. We recognise that our school is part of a wider safeguarding system for children and work closely with other agencies to promote the welfare of children. We maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ and will consider the wishes of, and at all times, what is in the best interests of each child.
We aim to:
Ensure we practice safe recruitment in line with national legislation by using at least one suitably trained recruiter on all interview panels and by checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children and ensuring any unsuitable behaviour is reported and managed using the Allegations Management procedures.
Raise awareness of child protection issues and equip children with the skills needed to keep them safe.
Implement procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
Support pupils who have been abused in accordance with their agreed child protection plan.
Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop.
We offer support and advice to our pupils and families at an early stage when concerns first arise to avoid an escalation of circumstances.
If you have any worries or concerns regarding the safety or well-being of any of our students or would just like to ask a question please contact the Safeguarding Team.
Meet the team!
How to contact us
You can contact us in a variety of ways – whatever is the most comfortable for you.
- via main reception in person – just ask for a member of the Safeguarding Team (you do not need to give the reason why)
- by telephone on 024 76 223542 and ask to speak to a member of the Safeguarding Team
- or you can send an email (for non emergency use) to: safeguarding@bluecoatschool.com
For any concerns outside of school hours please contact the Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively you can call the MASH helpline 02476 788 555 or 02476 832222 (after 5pm).
Safeguarding is of paramount importance to us, we are happy and ready to help you and will take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of our school community, the school is compliant with all statutory guidance in relation to Child Protection.
Health and Wellbeing
The health and wellbeing of our students, staff and supporting families are important to us in order to promote our school vision of ‘Living life in all its fullness’. Please visit our Health and Wellbeing page to see the support that is on offer.
Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment for All Students
Child on Child Abuse
Child on Child Abuse can be defined in many ways such as sexual harassment, sexual touching, emotional abuse, bullying, physical abuse, violence and online abuse to name a few. Child on Child Abuse is increasing in all schools across the country.
At Blue Coat School, we do not tolerate any form of Child on Child abuse. We actively encourage parents/carers to discuss these topics with your child(ren) and how this type of abuse can be detrimental in the decline of the victim’s mental and physical health.
The taking of and sharing of nude or semi nude images, also falls under the category of Child on Child Abuse and can result in Police sanctions.
If you have any concerns about Child on Child Abuse, please do not hesitate in calling a member of the Safeguarding team on 02476 223 542.
Healthy Minds
Students who are struggling with their mental health are encouraged to speak to their house teams, tutors, a member of the safeguarding team or our Chaplain, Lou Peet.
We know it can take a lot of courage to speak up about how you are feeling, no matter what the concern is, we are here to help! One-to-one support can be arranged in a friendly, welcoming and private area for you to discuss the challenges that you are experiencing. Following this, we will be able to help with coping strategies, check-ins and possibly external agency interventions.
We also understand that it can be incredibly challenging for some to speak out. Kooth is a free online mental health community for young people to sign up to where they can access 24 hour
support from a team of professionals, self – help tools and fun activities.
To learn more about Kooth, please visit:
FGM (Female Genital Mutilation)
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is defined by the World Health Organisation as – all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genitalia for cultural or non-medical reasons.
Prevent
Counter Terrorism and Security Act, which came into force on 1 July 2015. This Act requires specified authorities, including schools to “have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This is known as the ‘Prevent Duty’.
The four Government definitions are attached along with a summary.
Contextual Safeguarding
Traditionally, our understanding of safeguarding children has been in relation to risk within the family, but as young people grow they spend increased amounts of time away from their family and with others.
Parent Factsheets
Safeguarding Newsletters
To enhance our community’s awareness and understanding of key safeguarding topics, we will soon be launching a series of newsletters. These newsletters will provide valuable insights, resources, and updates on important issues such as child protection, mental health, and community safety. Stay tuned for essential information that will empower our students, parents, and staff to work together in creating a safer school environment.