Our Commitment to Keeping Your Child Safe

Pupils concerns are listened to at this school and taken seriously.

As well as educating the children in our care, the staff and governors of Prudhoe West First School take the safeguarding and wellbeing of all of its pupils seriously, and ensure systems are in place to support this.

The children are encouraged to speak to staff or ‘buddies’ if they have anything that is upsetting them either at school, at home or elsewhere. The children are listened to in a sensitive and encouraging manner, and any emerging issues are dealt with appropriately.

The school has a robust Safer Recruitment Policy which is followed. Appropriate staff and governors have undergone Safer Recruitment Training.  References are scrutinised so that relevant questions can be asked at all interviews and appointments are not made until any outstanding issues have been satisfied. People applying for jobs are made aware at the outset, that a fully enhanced police check will be undertaken before work can commence.

All of Prudhoe West’s staff, governors and volunteers have been CRB/DBS checked, and a record of this information is kept in school. We also ensure external bodies who have access to the school site have undertaken relevant checks with their staff.

We have a fully compliant Child Protection Policy which is reviewed annually. All staff receive Child Protection training regularly, and we have four ‘Designated Safeguarding Officers’ in school who oversee any child protection issues. Governors also receive an overview on the child protection procedures. We have a designated Safeguarding Governor who meets regularly with the Senior Leadership team, to ensure policies and processes are followed.

All staff and volunteers undergo a robust induction programme, which explains what code of conduct is acceptable when working with children and young people; child protection information and who to contact if they have any concerns; safety procedures of the school site. Induction is accompanied by direct supervision of all staff to ensure that codes are fully understood and followed as part of the contract whether paid or voluntary.

The school can only be accessed by the main entrance once the pupils are in school at 8:40 am. The external doors are all locked down and can only be opened from the inside. Visitors to school have to sign in/out and wear a visitor badge at all times. They are given a Visitors Information Leaflet which explains school security, child protection, use of mobile phones as well as other information useful to them. They will be escorted to where they need to be/who they need to meet within school. Any strangers on site will be challenged accordingly.

Personal mobile phones are not allowed to be used by visitors on school premises other than the school office or staff room. If individuals are seen using their phone, they will be challenged and told to stop. There are signs relating to this throughout the building. Staff are also not allowed to use their mobile phones during the school day on site other than the school office or staff room. There is a full policy available on request regarding this.

Health and Safety audits are carried out on a regular basis to ensure the safety of the building. Action plans are put in place to address any emerging issues.

All staff are expected to be vigilant and report any concerns regarding adults in or around the school.

Our school actively engages with the Northumberland County Council Local Safeguarding Board: