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Safeguarding

Safeguarding is about ensuring that everyone is safe from harm – safe from bullying, safe from people who could abuse, safe from discrimination or harassment – and that everyone feels safe in our environment.

“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. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all practitioners should make sure their approach is child centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.”

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022

The Ryde School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As a school we are fully committed to ensuring that consistent effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support families, children and staff at school. This means that we ensure that everyone working in our school has successfully completed the necessary clearances to enable them to work with children.

Sometimes we may need to make a referral to the Children, Schools and Family Service when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would place a child at further risk.

If a member of staff is concerned about a child’s welfare, they will record their concern, and any observations or conversation heard, and report to one of the Designated Senior Persons (DSPs) as soon as possible the same day. Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm.

It relates to aspects of school life including:

  • pupils’ health and safety
  • the use of reasonable force
  • meeting the needs of pupils with medical conditions
  • providing first aid
  • educational visits
  • intimate care
  • internet or e-safety
  • appropriate arrangements to ensure school security, taking into account the local context.

The Designated Senior Persons (DSP) for child protection at The Ryde School are:

  • Sue Thompson – Headteacher
  • Gina Cattini – Deputy Headteacher
  • Jessica Hall – SENCo

If you are ever concerned about the safety or well‐being of someone at our school please talk to one of the school’s DSPs.