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Safeguarding

WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT A CHILD AT FERRING C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL? 

 

The Designated Safeguarding Lead in our School is:  JAMES COX, HEADTEACHER

The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads in our school are: JANE JONES & VIVIENNE SQUIRES

The Safeguarding Governor in our School is:  MRS MELISSA SEAGER

 

WHAT IS SAFEGUARDING?

Safeguarding involves the actions we take and the procedures and processes we have in place to promote the welfare of our children and protect them from harm.  There is NO ISSUE of greater importance to staff, governors, parents, carers and children, than the safety of our children. 

Safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility. 

Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play.

We recognise that all adults, including temporary staff, volunteers and governors have a full and active part to play in protecting children from harm and that the child’s welfare is our paramount concern.

This school takes its responsibility to safeguard children extremely seriously and this school will train and empower all staff to recognise and respond effectively to protect a child who may be at risk of significant harm.

We will ensure all staff members in our school maintain an attitude of “it could happen here” and feel able to raise concerns either about a child at risk of a member of staff or other adults whose behaviour may present a risk to a child.

 

SAFEGUARDING IN THE CURRICULUM

At Ferring C of E Primary School teaching children how to stay safe is of paramount importance to us.  We do this through our weekly delivery of the new Relationship, Sex & Health Education Curriculum (RSHE).  We address it through assembly themes which tie in closely with our Church of England vision for education and preparing children for life in all its fullness.  We supplement our safeguarding curriculum further with our participation in national campaigns such as Safer Internet Day and Anti-bullying Week.  

Anti-Bullying Week 

Here are some photos of work the children produced during a week when we focused on the theme of ‘United Against Bullying’.  Every year we celebrate the Ferring attitude to the anti-bullying message.

This year, more than ever, we’ve witnessed the positive power that society can have when we come together to tackle a common challenge.

Anti-Bullying Week is no different. Bullying has a long lasting effect on those who experience and witness it. But by channelling our collective power, through shared efforts and shared ambitions, we can reduce bullying together. From parents and carers, to teachers and politicians, to children and young people, we all have a part to play in coming together to make a difference.

We’re all a piece in the puzzle, and together, we’re united against bullying.

Children and Young Person Guide to Working Together to Safeguard Children

WSCC Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

E-SAFETY

E-SAFETY SUPPORT IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE ACCESSING CONTENT ONLINE

Whilst there are huge benefits to being online in order to stay connected to family and friends during, we recognise many parents may feel concerned about the activities and content their children are accessing. 

It is important to have regular conversations about staying safe online and to encourage children to speak to you if they come across something worrying online.

The images below are links to websites and resources that provide guidance for parents and carers to keep children safe online.  THESE WEBSITES ARE RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION.  Click on each image to visit the websites. They will, amongst other things, support you to talk to your child about a range of online safety issues, set up home filtering in a child-friendly way and set up age-appropriate parental controls on digital devices:

  • ThinkUKnow by National Crime Agency-CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) provides resources for parents and carers and children of all ages to help keep children safe online. 
  • Childnet has developed guidance for parents and carers to begin a conversation about online safety...
  • ...as well as guidance on keeping under-fives safe online.
  • Parent Info is a collaboration between Parent Zone and NCA-CEOP, providing support and guidance for parents and carers related to the digital world from leading experts and organisations.
  • NSPCC has guidance for parents and carers to help keep children safe online.
  • UK Safer Internet Centre provides tips and advice for parents and carers to keep children safe online 

 

 

 

 

E-SAFETY IN SCHOOL

Children at Ferring use the Internet on a regular basis as part of their learning. Technology enhances learning and at Ferring we want to ensure that pupils get the most from it, by encouraging responsible online behaviour.

In school we use a filtering system to prevent children accessing inappropriate sites.  We also have 'e-safety' activities to remind children of the importance of keeping themselves safe online.  E-safety issues are embedded within the Computing curriculum and every year group acknowledges and encourages safe and sensible use of the internet and new technologies.

We take part in ‘Safer Internet Day’ in February every year and all the classes enjoy activities which raise awareness of e-safety.

At home, sometimes children can be given unsupervised access to the Internet. This, potentially, allows them to access all kinds of society (both good and bad) and bring them virtually into their homes.

***REMEMBER***

WhatsApp announced an age limit of 16.  Nearly all other Social Media services require users to be at least 13 years of age to access and use their services. This includes Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat and Tik Tok.  YouTube requires account holders to be 18, but a 13-year-old can sign up with a parent's permission.  The YouTube Terms of Service state that “the YouTube Website is not intended for children under 13”.

Therefore, none of the children at Ferring CE School should be using these forms of social media as a way of communicating with friends.  If they follow these guidelines they will avoid other significant worries that can present themselves as a result of misuse of social media.

We have these e-safety posters on display in our classrooms. Why not put one up next to the computer at home and talk about it with your children?

The Prevent Strategy

The Prevent Strategy – Parent Information

What is the Prevent strategy?

Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes.

The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including the extreme right wing, violent Islamist groups and other causes.

 

How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools?

From July 2015 all schools (as well as other organisations) have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism.

This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views the same way we protect them from drugs or gang violence.

Importantly, we can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they better understand how to protect themselves.

 

What does this mean in practice?

Many of the things we already do in school to help children become positive, happy members of society also contribute to the Prevent strategy.

These include:

  • Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity
  • Challenging prejudices and racist comments
  • Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity
  • Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, as well as British values such as democracy

We will also protect children from the risk of radicalisation, for example by using filters on the internet to make sure they can’t access extremist and terrorist material, or by vetting visitors who come into school to work with pupils.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Prevent relate to British values?

Schools have been required to promote British values since 2014, and this will continue to be part of our response to the Prevent strategy.

British values include:

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty and mutual respect
  • Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

Isn’t my child too young to learn about extremism?

The Prevent strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself, which may not be appropriate for younger children. It is also about teaching children values such as tolerance and mutual respect.

The school will make sure any discussions are suitable for the age and maturity of the children involved.

 

Is extremism really a risk in our area?

Extremism can take many forms, including political, religious and misogynistic extremism. Some of these may be a bigger threat in our area than others.

We will give children the skills to protect them from any extremist views they may encounter, now or later in their lives.

 

KEY TERMS

Extremism – vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values such as democracy, the rule of law and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

Ideology – a set of beliefs

Terrorism – a violent action against people or property, designed to create fear and advance a political, religious or ideological cause.

Radicalisation – the process by which a person comes to support extremism and terrorism.

Misogyny – hatred of women.