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Safeguarding

Safeguarding Statement

St Mary's Catholic Primary School

At St Mary's Catholic Primary School, the safety, welfare and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority. We are fully committed to creating a culture where children feel safe, respected, valued and listened to, enabling them to flourish academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally.

We recognise that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility. We adopt a child-centred approach and work in partnership with parents, carers, Governors, the Local Authority, children's social care, health professionals, the police and other agencies to ensure that children receive the right help at the right time. 

Our Safeguarding Ethos

At St Mary's Catholic Primary School, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. Through strong relationships, effective partnerships, vigilant staff and a culture of openness and care, we strive to ensure that every child is safe, happy, respected and able to achieve their God-given potential.

Our Commitment

St Mary's Catholic Primary School is committed to:

  • Protecting children from maltreatment, abuse, exploitation and neglect.
  • Ensuring children grow up in circumstances consistent with safe and effective care.
  • Preventing impairment of children's mental and physical health and development.
  • Taking action to enable all children to achieve the best possible outcomes.
  • Providing early help and support when concerns first emerge.
  • Ensuring all safeguarding concerns are acted upon promptly and appropriately.
  • Maintaining a culture of vigilance where staff understand that safeguarding concerns can arise at any time and that "it could happen here." 

Statutory Duties

Our safeguarding practice is informed by and complies with:

  • Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children
  • The Children Act 1989 and 2004
  • Education Act 2002
  • The Prevent Duty Guidance
  • The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015
  • The Equality Act 2010
  • Working Together to Improve School Attendance
  • Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) Statutory Guidance
  • Data Protection legislation and UK GDPR
  • The SEND Code of Practice
  • Local Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures 

Safer Recruitment

St Mary's is committed to safer recruitment practices. All staff, volunteers, governors and contractors undergo appropriate safeguarding checks, including enhanced DBS checks and suitability checks in line with current legislation and KCSIE requirements. Staff receive safeguarding induction and ongoing safeguarding training appropriate to their role. 

Designated Safeguarding Leadership

The school has a trained Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)- Mrs Danielle Douglas and Deputy DSLs Mrs Claire Davidson, Miss Charlotte Orr, Miss Paige Heron and Miss Christie Wells who provide leadership and oversight of safeguarding arrangements. The DSL works closely with staff, families and external agencies to ensure concerns are identified early and responded to effectively. 

Online Safety and Digital Safeguarding

We recognise that safeguarding risks exist both online and offline. Through our curriculum, policies and filtering and monitoring systems, we teach children how to stay safe online and support them in becoming responsible digital citizens.

In line with KCSIE 2026, safeguarding education includes awareness of:

  • Cyberbullying
  • Online grooming
  • Child sexual exploitation
  • Online radicalisation
  • Misinformation and disinformation
  • Conspiracy theories
  • Deepfakes and manipulated content
  • Risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI)
  • Inappropriate content, contact, conduct and commerce online
  • Safe use of social media and gaming platforms

The school regularly reviews filtering, monitoring and cyber security arrangements to protect children from online harm. 

Child-on-Child Abuse

We recognise that children can abuse other children and that such behaviour can occur inside and outside school, including online.

We have a zero-tolerance approach to:

  • Sexual violence
  • Sexual harassment
  • Bullying
  • Prejudiced behaviour
  • Cyberbullying
  • Abuse within intimate relationships
  • Upskirting
  • Sharing nude or semi-nude images
  • Initiation or hazing-type violence

All concerns are treated seriously, investigated promptly and managed in accordance with safeguarding procedures. 

Mental Health and Wellbeing

We recognise that children's mental health can be both an indicator and consequence of safeguarding concerns.

Through our curriculum, pastoral care and targeted support, we promote resilience, emotional wellbeing and positive mental health. Staff are trained to identify children who may need additional support and to seek appropriate help. Mrs Douglas and Mrs Davidson are the Mental Health and Wellbeing leads in school.

Attendance and Safeguarding

We understand that poor attendance can be an important indicator of safeguarding concerns. The school works proactively with families and external agencies to promote good attendance and address barriers to school participation. Persistent absence, severe absence and patterns of non-attendance are monitored closely and acted upon where necessary. 

Inclusion and Vulnerable Children

We recognise that some children may face additional safeguarding vulnerabilities, including those who:

  • Have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
  • Are young carers
  • Are looked-after children
  • Have previously been looked after
  • Are in kinship care arrangements
  • Are experiencing mental health difficulties
  • Are affected by domestic abuse
  • Are at risk of exploitation, radicalisation or serious violence

We are committed to ensuring all children receive the support and protection they need. 

Prevention and Safeguarding Education

Safeguarding is embedded throughout our curriculum, including through RSHE, PSHE, Computing, Religious Education and wider enrichment opportunities.

Pupils are taught about:

  • Healthy relationships
  • Consent and respect
  • Mental wellbeing
  • Online safety
  • Personal safety
  • British Values
  • Equality and diversity
  • Anti-bullying
  • Recognising unsafe situations
  • How and where to seek help

We encourage pupils to speak to a trusted adult whenever they are worried or concerned. 

Prevent Duty

As part of our safeguarding responsibilities, we are committed to protecting children from radicalisation and extremism. Staff receive Prevent training and are vigilant to indicators that a child may be vulnerable to extremist influences, whether in person or online. 

Reporting Concerns

All members of our school community share responsibility for safeguarding children. Any safeguarding concern, no matter how small, is reported immediately and dealt with in accordance with our safeguarding procedures.

Where there is a risk of immediate harm, appropriate action will be taken without delay, including referral to children's social care and/or the police if necessary. Safeguarding records are maintained securely and information is shared appropriately to protect children.