Safeguarding
At Westgate Primary School, we are fully committed to the safeguarding of all of our pupils.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead at Westgate Primary School is Mr. Watson.
The Deputy Child Protection Co-ordinators are Mrs. Wormington and Mrs. Lingard.
The well-being of the child is paramount. For pupils to feel that they are able to do their best and achieve their true potential, it is important that they feel safe and supported in our school environment.
Everyone working within our school, whatever their role, is acutely aware that issues to do with the protection of children are of the highest possible importance. Trust underpins everything that we do in school. The parents of our pupils entrust the care of their children to us and together we are all responsible for their well-being.
In relation to safeguarding, Westgate Primary School aims to ‘prevent’, ‘protect’ and ‘support’ all its pupils by addressing child protection in the curriculum, pastoral activities and in the management of the school. Staff are empowered and enabled to be vigilant for vulnerable pupils through regular, ongoing training and the dissemination of information. We also involve our pupils in regular assemblies with visiting agencies and workshops which will enable them to stay safe online, in school and at home.
Policies and Procedures
Westgate Primary School has policies which deal with safeguarding, child protection, radicalisation and safer recruitment, which are in accordance with Westgate Local Authority procedures and which comply with the DFE’s safeguarding children and safer recruitment statutory guidance.
Safeguarding posters are displayed throughout Westgate Primary School
Protective Behaviours
During the year, the children take part in 'Protective Behaviours' sessions. This programme is a safety awareness and resilience building programme which helps children and adults to recognise any situation where they feel worried or unsafe, such as feeling stressed, bullied or threatened; and explores practical ways to keep safe.
As part of Protective Behaviours, the children creative a supportive network. 'My network hand' is an activity that helps children to identify a support system that they can use if they need help. It requires them to identify ‘network people’ such as parents or guardians, family members, teachers, and family friends. The network people should be adults they trust and who listen to them.
At Westgate there is a 'network hand' display in both the Lower School and Upper School to remind the children about the network that they designed and how they can seek support.
Help and advice for parents
We work closely with our parents to offer advice, guidance and support.
Further guidance can be found at the following websites:
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/
www.youngminds.org.uk/for_parents/parent
www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/topics/stay-safe
www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/children-and-young-people/primary-schools
Ways to contact the NSPCC
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is a charity campaigning and working in child protection.
- Provide as much information as you can about the child and the concerns you have.
- If you have any details that can help to identify the child, such as their name or address, please share them too.
- If you’re requesting information, please tell us what you want it for.
Telephone: 0808 800 5000
Text: 88858
The service is free and they will try to text you back within three hours
Safeguarding questions for parents and carers
