Safeguarding
Keeping children safe in Education, DfE, defines safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children as:
“Protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes. ‘Children’ includes every one under the age of 18.”
You can find a copy of the national guidelines here:
Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families, has a role to play in safeguarding. School staff and volunteers are particularly important as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children, to prevent concerns from escalating.
Schools form part of the wider safeguarding system for children working with social care, the police and health services both to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.
At Grange Academy we are committed to safeguarding. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where all of our children are respected, safe and valued.
Every school is required to have a designated safeguarding lead or (DSL). At Grange Academy, this role is undertaken by Mrs Morris (Designated Safeguarding Lead/Deputy Head) and Miss Ashton-Lewis (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead) supported by Mrs Timms (Headteacher).
The DSL has a duty and responsibility to follow the law as outlined in the school’s ‘Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy’. At times the DSL and DDSL have to undertake difficult conversations and would be negligent in their role if they did not follow up on any potential safeguarding concerns identified.
The responsibilities of our Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead are:
Below are the school policies related to Safeguarding and Child Protection.
Our school is part of Operation Encompass.
This is a police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people who experience Domestic Abuse. Operation Encompass means that the police will share information about Domestic Abuse incidents with our school PRIOR to the start of the next school day when they have been called to a domestic incident.
Our parents are fully aware that we are an Operation Encompass school. The Operation Encompass information is stored in line with all other confidential safeguarding and child protection information.
Every family goes through challenging times at some point, and it is ok to ask for help. ‘Early Help’ means working with you and your family so that small problems don’t become big problems, and help you be the very best family you can be.
Early help is for everybody, for families with children and young people of any age. It is about helping as early as possible. It is about looking at what help you need as a family before you start to struggle. The earlier we can get the support, the better the outcome.
If you think you would like to access early help or for further advice, please contact the following number or take a look at the attached web-link. If you have any questions or worries please do not hesitate to come into school and speak with Miss Ashton-Lewis.
Bedfordshire Early Help: 01234 718700
Pupils are encouraged to express and discuss their ideas, thoughts and feelings through a variety of lessons and activities and have access to a range of opportunities that promote respect and empathy for others.
As part of the Prevent duty under s.26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, we are aware of the importance of building children’s’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling them to challenge extremist views.
At Grange Academy, we build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by providing a safe environment for debating controversial issues and helping them to understand how they can influence and participate in proactive and positive decision making.
Grange Academy is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. As part of internet safety, we ensure suitable filters are in place to keep children away from extremist materials.
Any photographs or videos taken by parents, carers, friends and relatives at school events, productions or open events are for the enjoyments of individual families. They must not be used in a way that could potentially place a child at risk. This would include publishing images or putting them on the internet including social media networking sites. This message is emphasised before concerts and events in school.
We understand in some circumstances a parent or carer may not wish their child to be photographed or videoed in this way or within school by staff. If this is the case, then please inform the school and update via the schools’ photo permission form.
Below are a list of useful websites and links that offer support services both locally and nationally.
Grange Academy is a Unicef Gold Rights Respecting School and Gold Artsmark School. Ofsted rated ‘Good’ (May 2022).
Telephone: 01234 407100 – Office Email: grange@biltt.org
Grange Academy is part of Bedford Inclusive Learning and Training Trust
Company Number: 08156641
