Keeping children safe is our highest priority
Parents and families send their children to our school, trusting us to provide a secure environment for their children to grow and develop.
At Newsome Academy, safeguarding is our number one priority and everyone’s responsibility. The information on this page explains some of our key provision and systems. It is not intended to replace or substitute the reading of our Safeguarding Policy. For us, safeguarding goes beyond what is statutory and is our number one priority.
Our designated safeguarding leads are:
What do DSLs do?
• Respond to any safeguarding concerns
• Liaise with social care and other agencies
• Talk to parents about concerns raised where appropriate
• Update safeguarding records
• Lead and coordinate whole school training and updates
• Meet regularly with the safeguarding team and teachers to communicate relevant information
• Meet the safeguarding governor and report to governors
• Update the school safeguarding policy in line with Trust central team direction
• Attend local DSL networks and training
Child Protection & Safeguarding
There is a detailed Child Safeguarding Policy, which is available on our Policies page but can be also found here:
Health & Safety
Everyone is responsible for health and safety and any concerns can be raised with the site team or senior leadership. Our children are also encouraged to be involved with the health and safety in school and report any concerns they may have.
Fire drills to practice efficient and safe evacuation from the buildings take place regularly and fire risk assessments and visits from the fire service and the local authority Fire Officers support the Academy.
In addition to the Health and Safety Policy there are policies and risk assessments in place regarding food preparation and hygiene. These determine safe practices in school and the kitchen and dining room.
Curriculum
The Academy follows a specific personal, social, health and emotional curriculum through daily ‘Enrichment Seminars’ and sessions along with external experts that address, age appropriately, relevant issues with the children. We also discuss a wide range of issues around safety and wellbeing on a regular basis in assemblies. Our Academy welfare team also plays an integral part in keeping our children safe and caring for their wellbeing on a daily basis. We are also one of the few schools that have our own Safer Schools Police Officer.
First Aid
We have key trained members of staff, designated to oversee first aid and there are a number of first aid kits situated around school.
Staff deal with children with the utmost sensitivity and act in loco parentis. Wherever necessary, parents will be contacted and in the case of an emergency, the school will call for emergency treatment first before contacting the parent.
Appointment and Induction of Staff
All staff appointed to work in school, including work/student placements, have a criminal record search called a DBS check.
Several members of school staff and the school’s governing body have received training on safer recruitment.
All volunteers must have an induction session and also have DBS clearance. For any extended contact with children, when children may be left alone with an adult, or when an adult visitor may be in and around the school building, a full DBS search will be conducted. Visitors who do not yet have clearance will under no circumstance be left alone with a child or group of children.
Site Security
Newsome Academy is a secure site with door access controls and a visitor register and clear routines and procedures in place.
We take great care to maintain a secure site around the perimeter of the school and all children are supervised at all times. We lock our school gates during the school day and visitors must always report to school via the main reception.
Online Safety
Children should be encouraged to use the internet, but at all times in a safe way. The Academy runs a Smoothwall system as well as monitoring that flags inappropriate use of Academy IT equipment to senior leaders who take immediate action to keep everyone safe.
Whistleblowing
If members of staff ever have any concerns about people working within the school, paid or unpaid, they have a professional duty to inform the Headteacher or governing body accordingly. This can be done in writing or verbally but staff should be prepared to discuss issues in the confidence that any such matter will be dealt with sensitively and with the highest appropriate level of confidentiality.
Excellent attendance is expected of all children. However, in the event that a child is unwell parents are asked to report absence by 8.30 am on the first day using our main school number.
On occasions where a child’s attendance and punctuality cause concern, this is dealt with by our Safeguarding Team. Attendance rates are reported each term to the LA, annually to the government, and to all parents. Positive systems are in place to encourage children to attend regularly and punctually, and the school is aware of its right to issue fixed penalties to parents who do not ensure good attendance and punctuality.
In exceptional circumstances, leave of absence may be requested in writing by submitting a letter to the head at least 30 days in advance, and explaining in detail what the exceptional circumstances are.
We have taken a sensible, balanced approach, which allows parents to photograph and video, providing they follow certain guidelines: introducing the Acceptable Use Policy for parent’s forms part of this approach.
Parents taking photographs are advised in advance of all school events that photographs must be for their own use within their families, and are not to be used in any social media.
Photography & Filming
At Newsome Academy, we have taken a sensible, balanced approach, which allows parents to photograph and video, providing they follow certain guidelines: introducing the Acceptable Use Policy for parent’s forms part of this approach.
Parents taking photographs are advised in advance of all school events that photographs must be for their own use within their families, and are not to be used in any social media.
Image Consent
We use images of children, both on our website and in press releases. However, parents are given the option at intake to refuse the use of their child’s image. Parents can change their preferences at any time by requesting a consent form from the office.
We work to ensure that everyone is treated fairly. All children are given equal access to the school and its curriculum and all are considered equal in the learning partnership.
When children have special needs, we make arrangements to inform parents and design specific programmes. We ensure that the outcomes for all groups of children allow them to reach their full potential.
Children with physical needs and disabilities must be able to take a full and active part in every lesson and activity, and every measure is taken to ensure this.
Good behaviour is essential in any community and we have high expectations for this. Our Behaviour Policy shows our strong emphasis on positive approaches, but also our clear boundaries in responding to behaviour choices that threaten the learning, wellbeing or safety of others.
