Safeguarding

Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection Policy 2024/2025

At Barley Hill we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.’
 
In this statement we would like to share with you school policies and practices with regards to ensuring that children are taught and encouraged to live healthy lifestyles and adopt safe practices.
 
School Policies are in place to ensure that there is a consistent approach to practices throughout the school and that they are adhered to by staff, governors and volunteers.  Adults have a tremendous impact on young children and with this in mind, adults at Barley Hill Primary School:

• Are good role models for children.
   
• Enjoy their work and working with children.
  
  
• Are conscientious and hard working.
  
  
• Welcome to support visitors in school.
  
  
• Recognise and value strengths in each other and use these to support everyone.
  
  
• Work within that agreed policies of the school.
  
  
• Promote a happy, caring and safe school.
  
  
• Encourage children to think for themselves, ask questions and find answers.
  
  
• Create an environment of trust.
  
  
• Challenge and support children in their learning.

If you have any concerns about the safeguarding of our children or would like further information, you can contact our Safeguarding Leads below or directly through our school Office.

OUR DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD AT BARLEY HILL IS:

Mrs Gemma Penny    
Headteacher

Contact: Tel: 01844 213100
Email: pa@barley-hill.oxon.sch.uk

OUR DEPUTY DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEADS ARE: 

Mrs Claire Plested - Deputy Headteacher

Miss Savannah Barros- Inclusion Lead & SENDCo

Mrs Michelle Nethercott - SENDCo (currently absent)

Mrs Anita Penny - Family Support Worker

Contact: Tel: 01844 213100  

Email: pa@barley-hill.oxon.sch.uk

Health and Safety

Everyone here at Barley Hill Primary school knows they have a responsibility to ensure children and adults are able to work in a healthy and safe environment.  The school has several fully trained paediatric first aid members of staff who deal with accidents should they occur.
 
First Aid
In school there are always trained members of staff who volunteer to oversee first aid. First aid kits are situated around school. When a child becomes ill, or has suffered an accident in school or on the playground there is a protocol for staff to follow:

• A trained first aider is consulted.
  
  
• The incident is logged in the accident book.
  
  
• For head injuries a head note is issued.
  
  
• If there is any doubt about the child’s well being, a parent is contacted.

 
Site Security, In school:

• All staff have a photo ID.
  
  
• All external doors are closed to prevent intrusion and to facilitate smooth exits.
  
  
• Visitors, volunteers and students must enter through the main entrance and after signing in they wear a Visitors badge at all times.
  
  
• Children will only be allowed home with adults with parental responsibility or confirmed permission.
  
  
• Children should never be allowed to leave school alone during school hours, and if collected by an adult, signed out.

Attendance
Children’s attendance and punctuality at school is monitored on a daily basis and notable absences or patterns of absences are followed up by the Headteacher.  The school prides itself on its very good attendance figures.

Safer Recruitment and Selection
Governors and the school ensure that all staff new to the school and volunteers who work in school on a regular basis undertake a DBS check and full references are acquired before any person takes up a post in school. New staff are inducted into safeguarding practices.  Newly appointed staff are assigned a mentor for the induction period.  It is the responsibility of the mentors to familiarise new staff with procedures and policy, which affect the health and safety of all at school.

Child Protection
This is a sensitive area in which all staff receive regular training.  The school and other services for children and families all work together to support the needs of children.
 
Curriculum
Subjects such as Personal, Social and Health Education support children in the development of healthy lifestyles and the understanding of how to keep themselves safe.
 
The school curriculum is designed so that safety issues within subjects are discussed and safe practices taught, such as using equipment properly in PE and Design and Technology. At all times there has to be appropriate staffing levels and when the curriculum is taken out of school, appropriate and agreed pupil/adult ratios are maintained. The lead adult always assesses visits as to the level of risk and all trips are finally authorised by the Headteacher.
 
Visiting speakers, with correct clearance are often invited to enrich children’s learning and development.

Internet Safety
Use of the internet is part of our school curriculum and may from part of children’s homework. Teachers regularly discuss e-safety strategies with children.  Parents are asked each year if they agree to their child using the internet. Pupils will never be unattended whilst online and teachers should ensure that this does not happen. If teachers know of misuse, either by a teacher or child the issue will be reported to the Headteacher without delay.  Please see our E-safety page for more information.

Equal Opportunities
Barley Hill Primary School is fully committed to equality of opportunity. We offer high quality education for all; when children have specific needs we make arrangements to work with children and families in designing specific programmes to support learning.
 
We promote diversity in our workforce which reflects the population of Thame.  Applications to work in school are welcome from all, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation.
 
Behaviour
At Barley Hill Primary School we have high expectations for respectful and positive behaviour which in turn support the positive and purposeful learning environment throughout out school.  The behaviour policy can be found on the school website.  However, as we all know, children do fall out from time to time.  Where this is the case, it is dealt with sensitively by an adult; children are given time to explain what the problem is and are helped to find a resolution.  

Anti-Bullying Policy
Barley Hill Primary School works hard to promote positive and respectful relationships and does not tolerate any form of bullying behaviour.
 
All allegations of bullying are reported to and addressed by a member of the school leadership team who will determine the course of action needed. A detailed Anti-bullying Policy, (available from the school website) outlines the strategies we put in place to address incidents of bullying behaviour. 

Photographing and Videoing
There has been a lot of controversy recently about adults photographing and filming young people. The concerns are genuine, however at Barley Hill Primary School we have taken a sensible, balanced approach, which allows photography to be used at school events:
 

• Parents’ consent to school taking photographs/video clips by signing a permission slip upon entry to school. School photographs that are for use outside of school are anonymous unless specific permission has been received from parents.
  
  
• Parents taking photographs at school events are always reminded that photographs are for personal use only and must not be shared on any public forum or platform (e.g. Youtube or Facebook).

Whistleblowing
If members of staff ever have any concerns about people working, paid or unpaid, they have a professional duty to inform the management accordingly. This can be done in writing or verbally but staff should be prepared to discuss issues in the confidence that any such matter will be dealt with sensitively and with the necessary degree of confidentiality. The school follows the Local Education Authority’s policy on Whistleblowing. A copy of this can be made available from the school office.

Complaints
Should parents have any complaints, staff will listen to your concerns and will follow up any issues arising.  There is a clear procedure in place.  The Headteacher will always be happy to meet with you and help resolve any issues.  The school is committed to working closely with parents/carers for the benefit of the children.  Remember no problem is too small and can often be prevented from becoming a bigger issue.  The complaints policy (available from the school website) is in place to ensure any unresolved complaints are heard by the complaints committee of the governing body.