Safeguarding in our School

We are committed to safeguarding children and young people, and we expect everyone who works in our schools to share this commitment. All adults in our schools take all welfare concerns seriously and encourage children and young people to talk to us about anything that is worrying them. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play. To fulfil this responsibility effectively, all practitioners should make sure their approach is child centered. This means that they should consider, always, what is in the best interests of the child.

All Trust and academy policies relating to Child Protection and Safeguarding adhere to the guidance provided in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025.

"THE WELFARE OF THE CHILD IS PARAMOUNT"

Safeguarding and Child Protection

The safety and welfare of our pupils is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment where children feel listened to, valued and supported to achieve their best outcomes.

We promote a strong culture of safeguarding where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and staff maintain an "it could happen here" approach. Through training, vigilance and effective partnerships with families and external agencies, we identify concerns early and take prompt action to ensure children receive the right help at the right time.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children means providing help and support as soon as concerns emerge, protecting children from harm, abuse and neglect, including online, preventing the impairment of children's mental and physical health or development, ensuring children grow up in circumstances consistent with safe and effective care, and taking action to enable all children to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe, both online and offline, through our broad and balanced curriculum, including Relationships Education and Health Education. We help children develop the knowledge, skills and resilience needed to recognise risks, understand how to seek support and make safe and informed choices in the world around them.

Our safeguarding practice is guided by Keeping_children_safe_in_education_from_1_September_2025 and reflects the expectations of the Ofsted Toolkit.

Physical Chastisement

Physical chastisement refers to any form of physical punishment used to discipline a child, such as smacking, slapping, or any action intended to cause physical discomfort. It is now illegal in many parts of the UK, and is widely recognised as an ineffective and harmful approach to managing behaviour. Schools promote positive, respectful, and non-physical methods of guidance, helping children learn self control and problem solving skills in a safe and supportive environment.

If a pupil discloses physical chastisement to a trusted adult at school, the trusted adult will report this to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, who will seek advice from Children’s First Contact Services. The duty social worker may request a referral to Children’s First Contact Services (CFCS)  either after or without speaking to the pupil’s parents/carers. Parents/carers would then be contacted by a social worker to discuss the disclosure and any further actions.

All parents/carers receive this letter on admission to any school within Cirrus Primary Academy Trust: 

Letter from Mrs Roberts re. Physical Chastisement

If a parent/carer requires support regarding managing their child’s behaviour at home or outside of school, please contact the senior leadership team via the school office.

Parenting support is also available via the local authority: Parenting Support | Sutton Information Hub

My Body My Choice My Body My Voice

.My Body, My Choice; My Body, My Voice is an important part of our preventative safeguarding curriculum. Through our age-appropriate Relationships and Health Education (RHE) curriculum, children are empowered with the knowledge, language and confidence to help keep themselves safe.

Pupils are taught that their body belongs to them and learn about consent, personal boundaries and respect. They are encouraged to use a kind, clear and strong voice to express how they feel and to speak up if something does not feel right.

Children are also taught practical safeguarding strategies, including identifying trusted adults and understanding their safety network. They learn to tell a first safe adult and, if they do not get the help they need, to keep telling a second safe adult until they are listened to and supported.

This learning is delivered through a whole-school approach, including the RHE curriculum, assemblies and pastoral support, ensuring safeguarding messages are reinforced throughout school life.

NSPCC Stay Safe Speak Out

At Stanley Park, we are lucky to welcome the NSPCC team into our school with their “Stay Safe, Speak Out” programme, which adds an additional layer to our existing curriculum and promotes pupil voice by encouraging children to confidently share their concerns.

Are you worried about a child's safety?

Don't delay, contact the NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/report-abuse/

If you think a child is in immediate danger call the police on 999.

Allegations Against Staff and Low-Level Concerns

If you have any concerns about the behaviour or conduct of a member of staff, please report your concerns to David D'Souza, Head Teacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead (ddsouza@cirrustrust.uk - 020 8647 9322). This includes low-level concerns and may relate to conduct towards a pupil/pupils or another/other members of staff.

If you have any concerns about the conduct of the Head Teacher, please report your concerns to Sharon Roberts, Cirrus Trust CEO (sroberts@cirrustrust.uk - 020 8647 9322/ 020 8619 1340). This includes low-level concerns and may relate to conduct towards a pupil/pupils or another/other members of staff.

You can also refer concerns about staff to:

LOCAL AUTHORITY DESIGNATED OFFICER (LADO):

SIMA HIRANI    020 8770 4776    LADO@sutton.gov.uk    sima.hirani@sutton.gov.uk

Allegations against external club providers

If you have any concerns about the behaviour or conduct of a member of staff from an external club that runs on the school premises, please report your concerns to  David D'Souza, Head Teacher.