At Cottam Primary School, safeguarding all children is the most important role we have. In order for children to be successful learners, they must feel safe and cared about; this is an area of our school that we are fortunate to have a number of very experienced staff working hard to achieve. At Cottam Primary School, safeguarding is everyone’s role; all staff play a vital role in ensuring this for all children.

Designated Safeguarding Leaders

At all schools, there must be a senior leader who is responsible for safeguarding called the Designated Safeguarding Leader. There must also be at least one person who is the Back-Up Safeguarding Lead. These members of staff must complete Level 4 and Level 5 training and complete refresher training every two years.

At our school, the following staff are the leaders for safeguarding:

Mrs Kellie Rainford, Headteacher, DSL

Miss Becki Culkin, Deputy Headteacher, Back-Up DSL

Mrs Cat Aspinall, SLT,  Back-Up DSL

Mr Joe Woodruff, SLT, Back-up DSL

Prevent

All schools must also have a member of staff who is the Prevent Lead. This person must complete the Prevent training and have a secure understanding of this area of safeguarding. At our school, Mrs Kellie Rainford, Headteacher, is the Prevent Lead.

Safer Recruitment

When recruiting new members of staff, at least one member of the interviewing committee must be Safer Recruitment trained. At our school, both Mrs Kellie Rainford, Headteacher and Mr Mark Whelan, Chair of Governors are safer recruitment trained.

Safeguarding Training

Each year, all of the staff we employ must take part in Level 1 and Level 2 Safeguarding Training which is delivered by the Headteacher/ LCC. They also receive any relevant documents relating to safeguarding including the annually updated Keeping Children Safe in Education Policy. Throughout the year, staff have regular opportunities to update their safeguarding knowledge and skills about specific areas of abuse/concern.

How we record Safeguarding Concerns

As a school, we record all safeguarding concerns using an electronic system called Child Protection and Safeguarding Management System known as CPOMs. This enables our school to maintain accurate records and share them, securely, with those responsible for safeguarding in our school.

Attendance

Good attendance at school ensures children make the best academic and social progress. To ensure good attendance for all children, we have specific procedures in place to ensure this is the case; this is part of our wider safeguarding work.