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Oakwood Primary School

Oakwood Primary School

Safeguarding at Oakwood

At Oakwood Primary School, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children is at the heart of everything we do. We are fully committed to providing a safe, caring and inclusive environment where every child feels valued, supported and protected. We expect all staff, governors and volunteers to share this commitment.

Safeguarding is an integral part of our school culture and curriculum. We actively teach children how to keep themselves safe, recognise risks, develop positive relationships and know who to turn to if they have concerns. This includes online safety, personal wellbeing and understanding how to make safe and responsible choices.

We have robust safeguarding policies, procedures and practices in place to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of our pupils remain our highest priority.

Working Together to Keep Children Safe

We recognise that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and that effective communication and partnership working are essential.

At times, we may need to share information and work closely with external agencies and professionals when concerns arise about a child's welfare. Wherever appropriate, we will discuss these concerns with parents and carers first, unless doing so could place a child at further risk or compromise their safety.

We work alongside families, the Early Help Partnership, children's social care and other relevant agencies to ensure that children and families receive the right support at the right time.

Information-sharing consent is addressed through our admissions procedures and, where appropriate, through Early Help documentation. However, where safeguarding concerns arise, information may be shared without consent when necessary and lawful to protect a child.

Staff Training and Safeguarding Responsibilities

All staff receive regular safeguarding and child protection training, ensuring they have the knowledge and confidence to recognise concerns, respond appropriately and report them promptly.

Our safeguarding training includes:

  • Child protection and recognising signs of abuse and neglect.

  • The Government's Prevent Duty, including recognising and responding to concerns about radicalisation and extremism.

  • Awareness of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), including relevant statutory reporting duties.

  • Online safety, including protecting children from online risks and harmful content.

  • Understanding safeguarding responsibilities in line with the latest statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education.

We follow national safeguarding guidance and the procedures established by the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership (GSCP).

Further information and useful safeguarding resources can be found below:

Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership:
https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gscp/

NSPCC – Keeping Children Safe:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/

Our Safeguarding Team

Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs):

  • Mrs E Hayet-Patino – Acting Co-Headteacher

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs):

  • Miss S Baines – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

  • Ms K Humphreys– Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

  • Mr R Jacks – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

  • Miss J Payne - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Safeguarding Governor:
Mrs C Price - Chair of Governors

Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

If you have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child, including concerns relating to online safety, please contact the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead through the school office.

All concerns will be taken seriously, treated sensitively and responded to in accordance with our safeguarding policies and statutory responsibilities.

If a safeguarding concern relates to a member of the school's leadership team, please contact the Chair of Governors or the appropriate local authority safeguarding professional, in accordance with the school's safeguarding procedures.

Oakwood Primary School
School Office: 01242 515775
Email: admin@oakwood.gloucs.sch.uk

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, please call 999.

At Oakwood Primary School, we believe that every child deserves to feel safe, happy and supported. By working together with our families and wider community, we aim to ensure that every child has the opportunity to Aspire, Believe, Care and Achieve.