Safeguarding
Safeguarding and Online Safety
At Aycliffe Community Primary School, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils is fundamental to everything we do. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and nurturing environment in which children feel secure, are listened to and know where to go if they are worried about something.
Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone within our school community. All staff have a duty to promote children’s welfare, identify concerns and take appropriate action when necessary.
Our Safeguarding Culture
All members of staff receive regular safeguarding training and updates throughout the year to ensure that they understand and follow the school’s policies, procedures and statutory responsibilities.
Safeguarding remains a high priority throughout the year through staff training, briefings, updates and ongoing professional development.
We are committed to:
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listening to children and ensuring that their voices are heard;
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working closely with parents, carers and external agencies;
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following robust safer recruitment and vetting procedures;
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ensuring staff understand their responsibilities in relation to child protection, online safety and the Prevent Duty;
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promoting equality, respect and fundamental British values;
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maintaining clear policies and procedures which support the safety and wellbeing of all pupils.
Our safeguarding arrangements are supported by a range of policies, including our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, Online Safety Policy, Acceptable Use arrangements, Behaviour Policy, Anti-Bullying Policy and other related school procedures.
Our Safeguarding Team
Aycliffe Community Primary School has a team of trained Designated Safeguarding Leads who oversee safeguarding and child protection across the school.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Jonathan – Headteacher
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
Muntaha Hussein
Bryony Scamp
Emma Coade
The school also has a named safeguarding governor who provides appropriate oversight and challenge in relation to the school’s safeguarding arrangements.
Raising a Safeguarding Concern
If you are concerned about the safety or welfare of a child, please speak to a member of our Designated Safeguarding Team.
You can also contact the school directly and ask to speak to a Designated Safeguarding Lead.
If you have an urgent safeguarding concern about a child, you can contact the Kent Safeguarding Children Multi-Agency Partnership (KSCMP) for further advice and information:
If you believe that a child is in immediate danger, please call 999.
Online Safety
The internet and digital technologies are an important part of children’s everyday lives and offer many positive opportunities for learning, creativity, communication and entertainment.
At Aycliffe Community Primary School, we recognise that children increasingly access online content through a wide range of devices, games, apps and platforms both in and outside of school.
While technology provides many benefits, it can also present risks. These may include:
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exposure to inappropriate or harmful content;
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contact with unknown individuals;
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cyberbullying;
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sharing personal information or images;
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online scams and misinformation;
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inappropriate communication;
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excessive or unhealthy use of technology.
Online safety is therefore an important part of our wider safeguarding responsibilities.
Teaching Children to Stay Safe Online
We aim to help pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully.
Online safety is taught through our curriculum and reinforced through assemblies, discussions and wider safeguarding education.
Children are encouraged to think carefully about:
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the information they share online;
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who they communicate with;
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how they behave towards others online;
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whether information they see online is reliable;
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what they should do if something makes them feel worried, uncomfortable or unsafe.
Most importantly, we want children to understand that they should always speak to a trusted adult if something happens online that concerns them.
Working with Parents and Carers
Parents and carers play an essential role in helping children stay safe online. We encourage families to talk regularly with children about their online activity, including the apps, websites and games they use.
Useful areas to discuss at home include privacy settings, age restrictions, parental controls, sharing photographs and personal information, communicating with others online and what children should do if they encounter something that worries them.
The following organisations provide helpful guidance and resources for families:
Childnet International
www.childnet.com
Advice and resources for children, parents, carers and schools about staying safe online.
CEOP – Thinkuknow
www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Online safety information and educational resources for children, young people, parents and professionals.
UK Safer Internet Centre
www.saferinternet.org.uk
Advice and resources to help children and families use technology safely and responsibly.
NSPCC – Online Safety
www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety
Practical information for parents and carers about social media, online games, parental controls and online risks.
Internet Matters
www.internetmatters.org
Guidance for families covering devices, apps, social media, parental controls and age-appropriate online safety.
If a pupil, parent or carer has any concerns about online safety, they should speak to a member of staff or one of the school’s Designated Safeguarding Leads.
Further information can also be found within our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and other safeguarding-related policies available on the school website.