Safeguarding

Under the Education Act 2002 (Section 175), schools must make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.  Parent/carers should know that the law (Children Act 1989) requires all school staff to pass on information which gives rise to a concern about a child’s welfare, including risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

The staff will seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with the parent/carer, and where possible, seek their consent to a referral to Social Care. This will only be done where such discussion will not place the child at increased risk of significant harm. Schools will seek advice from Social Care when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Occasionally, concerns are passed on which are later shown to be unfounded.

Parents/carers will appreciate that the designated person for safeguarding (child protection) was carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and acting in the best interests of all children.

Online safety 
While mobile phones are banned within school, we recognise that some families may wish their child to have a mobile phone on them to use to and from school. We remind families that the legal age to access most social media sites such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat is 13 and strongly advise families to monitor their child’s use of social media and more general use of the internet.

Tips for families to support keeping children safe online:

• Educate your children about online safety and privacy, including the dangers of sharing personal information online.
• Set ground rules for internet usage, such as time limits and appropriate websites and apps.
• Use parental controls and monitoring software to limit access to inappropriate content and track your child's online activity.
• Encourage open communication with your child about their online experiences and any concerns they may have.
• Teach your child to be respectful and kind online, and to report any cyberbullying or harassment they may encounter.
• Keep your own devices secure and model safe online behaviour for your child.
• Stay up-to-date on current online threats and trends to better protect your child.

Personal safety

Our students’ safety is important to us. At Stoke Park School, we do everything we can to make sure that students learn in a safe environment. If students feel unsafe at any time, they are reminded that they should report any concerns to a trusted adult or a member of the pastoral or safeguarding team immediately.

Tips for families to support keeping children safe outside of school:

• Set clear boundaries and rules for where they can go, who they can spend time with and what time they should return home.
• Ensure they know how to call for help if they need it, and have a designated safe space, such as a neighbour's house, for emergencies.
• Teach them the importance of stranger danger and how to recognise risky situations.
• Encourage them to walk in groups rather than alone and always wear visible clothing when out in the dark.
• Remind them that alcohol and drugs can harm their health and cause them to take unnecessary risks.
• Have open and honest conversations about their experiences to help them feel supported and safe, reminding them that if an adult tries to hurt them it's not their fault.

Mental Health Support and Information