“Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future. Those who abuse them tear at the fabric of our society and weaken our nation.”
(Nelson Mandela)

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the protection of children from maltreatment. It is the prevention of impairment to children’s mental health and physical health or development. By safeguarding children, we ensure that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.

Safeguarding at Leagrave Primary School

At Leagrave Primary School, the safety of our pupils is paramount. 

It is our key aim to ensure that Leagrave Primary School is a safe, secure and caring environment for all of our pupils, so that they are able to take advantage of the wide range of opportunities, offered by the school, for learning, developing skills and talents and understanding how to be a good citizen. Our intention is that every child will develop and grow into a mature and responsible person.

Safeguarding children is an essential part of our holistic approach to ensure that children are protected from abuse and neglect and that every child reaches their potential.

The best interests of the children will always be our priority. As such, there are times we will need to record, monitor and share information with other agencies. We will share concerns about our pupils with the child’s parents/carers unless we have reason to believe that this would not be in the child’s best interest.

We have a number of policies which explain how the school protects the children in its care and information for teachers, parents, carers and visitors to the school to help them understand what is expected of them both while they are engaged in any activity associated with the school and its pupils, on or off site.

Some of these documents can be found on the website, on the School Policies page, in the Key Information section; our latest Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy and our Child Friendly Policy is posted below. Other documents are available in the school office.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding safeguarding, child protection or children’s safety please talk to your Classteacher or Mrs Bastin, as soon as possible.

Our Safeguarding Statement

Leagrave Primary School is fully committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of all children. We recognise our responsibilities to take all reasonable steps to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, abuse and neglect.

We acknowledge our duty to act appropriately with regards to any allegations towards a member of staff or volunteer, or towards any disclosures or suspicion of abuse. We recognise our duty of care to safeguard children as detailed under the Children Acts’ 1989 and 2004, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE 2023) and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015.

Leagrave Primary School believes that:

• The welfare of all children and young people is paramount
• All children, whatever their age, culture, ability, gender, language, ethnicity, religious or spiritual beliefs and/or sexual identity, have the right to protection from abuse
• All allegations, reports or suspicions of abuse should be taken seriously and responded to in a swift and appropriate manner.

Leagrave Primary School will ensure that:

• All children and young people will be treated equally and with respect and dignity
• The welfare of each child will always be of highest priority
• Bullying (in any form) is neither accepted nor condoned
• Action will be taken to stop any inappropriate verbal or physical behaviour
• There is a clear line of accountability with regards to safeguarding concerns
• Staff and volunteers will be kept updated with regards to changes in legislation and policies for the protection of children and young people
• Staff and volunteers will undertake relevant and appropriate development and training in relation to safeguarding children
• All staff and volunteers within the organisation are fully aware of their responsibilities to safeguarding and their duty to the children and young people in their care, and that they fully understand the correct process for reporting concerns