Safeguarding

Safeguarding at Leadgate Primary School

At Leadgate Primary School, safeguarding children is our highest priority. We believe that every child has the right to be happy, safe, and able to learn, and we all share the responsibility to make this happen.

We are committed to ensuring that:

The welfare of the child is paramount in all decisions and actions.
Every child, regardless of age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs, or sexual identity, has the right to be protected from harm.
All suspicions and allegations of abuse are taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
All staff and volunteers have a duty to report any concerns to our Designated Safeguarding Leads.

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are: Miss Laura Weaver

Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are: Mrs Clare Hannon, Miss Katy Nesom & Miss Lucy Scarr

Areas of Safeguarding

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. Our policies cover all aspects of school life to ensure that children are safe, happy, and able to learn in a secure environment. These include:

Staff & Visitors – All adults working with or visiting our school are fully vetted, informed, and trained in safeguarding procedures.
Children’s Behaviour – We promote positive behaviour and healthy lifestyles to keep children safe and happy.
Parents & Carers – We work in partnership with families, offering support and maintaining strong communication links.
Premises – Our school environment is regularly checked to ensure it is safe, pleasant, and fit for purpose.
Curriculum – We provide learning experiences that are positive, life-affirming, and help children understand how to stay safe.
Outside School – We ensure that activities beyond the classroom are planned and monitored to maintain safety at all times.

Child Protection with Safeguarding Policy

All staff have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues and are able to implement the safeguarding children policy and procedure appropriately. Policies are in line with current guidance and procedures.

Staff are able to respond appropriately to any:

significant changes in children’s behaviour;
deterioration in their general well-being;
unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse;
signs of neglect;
comments children make which give cause for concern.

All staff are aware of the need to maintain privacy and confidentiality.

Information Sharing

Before a child is admitted to school, we have a legal obligation to obtain essential information from parents and carers, including:

Emergency contact numbers
Special dietary requirements, preferences, or food allergies
Special health requirements
Details of who has legal contact and parental responsibility

Parents and carers must inform us immediately of any changes to these details.

Links with External Agencies

There may be occasions when, in the best interests of the child, we consult other agencies before contacting parents or carers. We are supported by a range of professionals, including:

School Nurse and Health Practitioners
Educational Psychology
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
Behaviour Support
Social Services
Specialists in Special Educational Needs

If you have any concerns about the safety or welfare of a child, please inform us immediately.

Safer Recruitment

At Leadgate Primary School, the safety and wellbeing of our pupils is our highest priority. We follow strict safer recruitment procedures to ensure that everyone who works with our children is thoroughly vetted. This includes comprehensive background checks, references, and verification in line with statutory guidance. We carry out ongoing checks and maintain a clear whistle-blowing policy to ensure that any concerns are addressed promptly and appropriately. These measures are fully aligned with current safeguarding legislation and best practice.

Staff Training

At Leadgate Primary School, all staff play a vital role in safeguarding and child protection. We ensure that:

All staff are trained in child protection issues and understand the procedures to follow.
Staff are encouraged to remain vigilant to maintain the safety and well-being of our children.
Regular updates are provided throughout the year to keep safeguarding knowledge current.
Staff & Volunteers are directed to statutory documents such as ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025’.
All other staff complete Safeguarding and Child Protection Level 1 training as a minimum requirement.
All staff receive regular training in child protection, Prevent duty, County Lines awareness, and online safety, with regular updates throughout the year to ensure they remain vigilant and fully informed