Downland School

Aspire, Achieve and Thrive

Safeguarding

At Downland School, we recognise the moral and statutory responsibility placed on all staff to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. We aim to provide a safe and welcoming environment in which children can learn; underpinned by a culture of openness where both children and adults feel secure, are able to raise concerns and will be listened to and that appropriate action will be taken to keep them safe.

We do this by ensuring that:                

  • We undertake rigorous checks when recruiting staff adhering to safer recruitment practices
  • When welcoming visitors we have a clear procedures to ensure everyone is kept safe
  • We train all our staff in the latest ‘best practice’ regarding keeping children safe in education in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 (KCSIE)
  • Our single central record is routinely updated to reflect the latest information relating to all members of staff, governors and regular visitors.
  • Designated staff and governors are trained in child protection, safeguarding and safer recruitment.
  • Safeguarding policies and statements are clear and easily accessible on the website and reinforced through regular training, monitoring and evaluation of practice
  • Training is updated annually with the latest update being in September 2023. New members of staff will receive immediate training as required as part of their induction
  • Pupils and the safeguarding of pupils is regularly discussed and recorded on a daily and weekly basis using CPOMS
  • We routinely review our work and multidisciplinary engagement. From September 2023 a newly revised internal-school multidisciplinary safeguarding meeting continues to analyse attendance, pastoral and academic patterns and trends which influences planned interventions and support
  • We work closely with our multi-agency partners to signpost the correct support to safeguard our pupils and their families
  • When allegations are made against a member of staff they are taken seriously and investigated in line with statutory guidance (KCSIE 2023 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2021 [2023 consultation]) and in consultation
  • The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Georgina Keily-Theobald (Headteacher) and the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are David Brown (Head of SEND), Michelle Kerridge (Deputy Headteacher), Jay Butler (Deputy Headteacher), Sarah Seabrook (Assistant Headteacher), Andrew Mauree (Pastoral Manager) and Amy Robinson (Pastoral Manager). All of whom are supported by the class tutors, teaching staff and ancillary team to ensure every child is kept safe
  • If you are concerned about your child or another pupil, at our school please speak to a member of the Safeguarding Team
  • Or if you have concerns about a child and want to contact someone outside the School please contact: Wiltshire Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) 0300 456 0108 (08:45am-5pm Mon-Thurs) and (8:45am-4pm) Friday
  • Emergency Duty Service 0300 456 0100 (5pm - 8.45am)
  • If a child is in immediate danger or left alone, you should contact the police or call an ambulance immediately on 999