Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility.  The Alderton endeavours to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued.  Child protection forms part of the school's safeguarding responsibilities.

If parents/carers have any concern about the health and safety of their child at The Alderton, they should share this information with an appropriate member of staff.

The NSPCC describes safeguarding as the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. It is a top priority at The Alderton Junior School.

Safeguarding means:

• protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
• preventing harm to children’s health or development
• ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
• taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes

Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.

Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18.

Key People

Our Designated Safeguarding Leaders (DSL) are Miss Johnson (Head Teacher) and Mrs Carroll-Bastian (Behaviour and Pastoral Support Manager)

Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leaders (DDSL) are Mrs Finn (Deputy Head Teacher) and Miss Tuke 

The named governor responsible for safeguarding is Ms Judith Hodges.

If you are ever concerned about the safety or wellbeing of any child, please speak directly to:

• one of the named safeguarding leaders above
• any member of The Alderton's staff team
• a member of the NSPCC safeguarding helpline on 0808 800 5000

PREVENT STRATEGY

Since July 2015 all schools (as well as other organisations) have had a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism under Prevent, a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes. The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including extreme right wing groups, violent Al Qa’ida-influenced groups and other causes. This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views the same way we protect them from drugs, gang violence, abuse and sexual exploitation. Importantly, we can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they better understand how to protect themselves. 

OUR RESPONSE

Many of the things we already do in school to help children become positive, happy members of society also contribute to the Prevent strategy. These include:

• Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity;
• Challenging prejudices and racist comments;
• Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity;
• Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural
• Development of pupils, as well as British values such as democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs