In School Safeguarding Initiatives

Safeguarding Statement

The Governing Body and staff of Whitby School take very seriously their duty to safeguard young people and vulnerable adults. All staff follow a range of policies and procedures which include safeguarding measures as a high priority in all areas of their duties and responsibilities.

These include:

  • being responsible in the use of photographs and pupil/student data – parental permission is sought through pupil planners and for individual activities as required

  • we have codes of conduct for pupils/students and staff, including those relating to behaviour, anti-bullying/harassment, professionalism, anti-discrimination and safe working practices

  • school recruitment policies and human resource procedures include a robust pre-appointment checking system and this is evidenced through a Single Central Record and in personnel files

  • a Health and Safety Policy that is reviewed annually and a link Governor who visits the school regularly to review working practices

  • policies for staff and pupils/students relating to the safe and correct use of ICT and data

  • signing-in procedures for people coming onto the school site

  • risk assessments are in place for all school activities and preventative safety measures are undertaken as required, based on these assessments

  • a perimeter fence and locked gate has been installed for the safety of pupils/students during lesson times

  • the staff duty rota ensures that all areas of the school are supervised before and after school and at break and lunch times.

All school policies and procedures are reviewed regularly and sent out to staff in a range of ways, including via the staff handbook, the school intranet, internet and shared network areas; this information is also relayed in staff briefings, emails, bulletins and meetings and through frequent training sessions, including refresher Child Protection/safeguarding training session for all staff. The school’s Governing Body has a review schedule for policies to ensure that each is reviewed and updated as required.

ReportingE-SafetyHealth and Wellbeing