We are committed to safeguarding children and young people, and we expect everyone who works in our schools to share this commitment. All adults in our schools take all welfare concerns seriously and encourage children and young people to talk to us about anything that is worrying them. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play. To fulfil this responsibility effectively, all practitioners should make sure their approach is child centered. This means that they should consider, always, what is in the best interests of the child.

All Trust and academy policies relating to Child Protection and Safeguarding adhere to the guidance provided in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023.

"THE WELFARE OF THE CHILD IS PARAMOUNT"

The safety and welfare of our pupils is of the utmost importance, ensuring that they are protected from maltreatment, impairment of their mental and physical health or development and that they are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care to achieve the best outcomes. We have created a culture of vigilance where pupils’ welfare is actively promoted. Pupils are listened to and feel safe. We maintain an ‘it could happen here’ attitude.

We know children learn best when they are healthy, safe, and secure, when their individual needs are met and when they have positive relationships with the people caring for them. We aim to have schools which are welcoming, safe, and stimulating and where children can enjoy learning and grow in confidence. All necessary steps are taken to keep children safe and well.

Because of the day-to-day contact with children, our staff are trained to identify when a pupil may be at risk of harm and abuse, and they report their concerns immediately. We have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of our pupils under the Education Act 2002 and Children Act 1989/2004 through identifying any child welfare concerns and taking action to address them in partnership with families and other agencies where appropriate.

Children are taught about safeguarding, including sensitive issues and online safety, through various teaching and learning opportunities, as part of providing a broad and balanced curriculum. We use the curriculum to ensure that children and young people understand how people with extreme views share these with others, especially using the internet. All children are taught to recognise when they are at risk and how to get help when they need it.

We are committed to ensuring that our pupils are taught a curriculum that aims to prepare them for life in modern Britain. Teaching the school’s core values alongside the fundamental British Values supports quality teaching and learning, whilst making a positive contribution to the development of a fair, just and civil society.

Relevant issues for schools will be taught through Relationships Education (for all primary pupils) and Sex Education (for all secondary pupils) and Health Education (for all pupils in state-funded schools) which became compulsory in September 2020.

Please refer to the statutory guidance for more information: Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education (DfE, 2019)

Safer Recruitment

In carrying out our recruitment processes, we are committed to the creation of a safe environment for our pupils by operating safer recruitment practices in line with the statutory requirements and guidance.

Allegations Against Staff

Allegations Against Staff and Low-Level Concerns

If you have any concerns about the behaviour or conduct of a member of staff, please report your concerns to Lisa Hunt, Head Teacher (lhunt@cirrustrust.uk   020 8642 5138). This includes low-level concerns and may relate to conduct towards a pupil/pupils or another/other members of staff.

If you have any concerns about the conduct of the Head Teacher, please report your concerns to Sharon Roberts, Cirrus Trust CEO (sroberts@cirrustrust.uk   02086479322/ 02086693978). This includes low-level concerns and may relate to conduct towards a pupil/pupils or another/other members of staff.

You can also refer concerns about staff to:

LOCAL AUTHORITY DESIGNATED OFFICER (LADO): SIMA HIRANI    0208 770 4776             LADO@sutton.gov.uk                 sima.hirani@sutton.gov.uk