We talk to families about concerns and ask for consent before making a referral to another service. We also keep families informed about the school's safeguarding responsibilities through newsletters, information evenings and leaflets at reception.

There are a few situations where we must not share a concern with a parent or carer first. This will only be the case if doing so could put the child at risk of significant harm, put a vulnerable adult at risk, or interfere with an investigation by children's social care or the police. In those cases, we may need to speak to other agencies before we speak to the family, because a child's safety comes before everything else. We know this can be distressing, and we will support families through the process as far as we are able.

If you have a worry about something at school that is not a safeguarding matter, start with your child's tutor or head of year. If it is still unresolved, you can ask to speak to a senior leader or follow the school's complaints policy.

 

Online safety

Young people use the internet to learn, play, create and stay in touch. While the opportunities are vast, so are the risks. These include bullying, contact from strangers, grooming, pressure to share images, and content that is harmful, illegal or not age appropriate.

How the school keeps students safe online

We use both Impero and Smoothwall as the two filtering and monitoring systems on school devices and networks. The school's filtering and monitoring systems are reviewed regularly by the designated safeguarding lead and senior leaders. Concerns generated through monitoring systems are recorded and followed up in line with safeguarding procedures.

 Online safety is taught through computing, PSHE, the tutor time programme, assemblies and themed weeks, covering healthy relationships, social media, sharing images, live streaming, and newer risks such as AI-generated images and deepfakes.

What families can do

Talk regularly and calmly about what your child does online and make sure they know they will not be in trouble telling you about something that worries them. Set up parental controls on phones, consoles and apps, and check the minimum age for each service; many popular social media apps require users to be at least 13. Look at game age ratings before agreeing to purchase or download. Keep screenshots or links if something upsets your child, rather than deleting them straight away.

Where to report.

Sexual abuse or grooming of a child online: report to CEOP, the National Crime Agency's child protection command. If you have already told the police or children's social care, you do not need to report to CEOP as well, and school staff follow our own procedures.

Bullying, fake accounts or hacked accounts: CEOP cannot deal with these. Tell us, use the reporting tools on the platform, or ask Report Harmful Content for help. The NSPCC helpline can talk through worries about online bullying at any time.

A child in immediate danger: call 999.