Safeguarding
At Thorner’s C of E VA Primary School, we are committed to safeguarding children. It is the duty and responsibility of everyone to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Thorner’s recognises the needs ad wishes of every child will be put first. Safeguarding children means protecting them from abuse or neglect. Getting the right support in place as early as possible and creating an environment in which children and young people feel safe and healthy is our priority. We all have a personal responsibility to notice when a child or young person may be at risk of harm and pass our concerns to someone who can act to protect them.
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mike Sitch
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads: Ms Smith (Yr 1/2) and Ms Keefe (Fledglings)
Safeguarding Governor: Nicole Forbes Marshall
We hope that by having a point of contact in pre-school, KS1 and KS2 that every child or parent has someone whom they can turn easily to with a concern.
Our direct emails are below:
Mike Sitch msitch@thorners.dorset.sch.uk
Ms Keefe jkeefe@thorners.dorset.sch.uk
Ms Smith fsmith@thorners.dorset.sch.uk
Nicole Forbes-Marshall nforbes-marshall@thorners.dorset.sch.uk
Our responsibilities as a school stem from the Children’s Act, which means we must continually train all school staff, be vigilant about the numerous risks surrounding children today and lastly document, monitor, report and follow-up on concerns – reporting to the appropriate bodies where relevant.
The Dorset County website also includes relevant contact details.
https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/children-families/worried-about-a-child.aspx
Should you ever wish to speak to me about any of our safeguarding arrangements/policies please do call the office or email me directly.
Here at Thorner’s we are proud to be part of Operation Encompass. This partnership between Dorset Police and schools enables all of us to quickly identify and support those pupils who may have experienced or witnessed an incident of domestic abuse.
https://www.operationencompass.org/
Please do not hesitate to contact our Key Adults for this scheme (Mr Sitch or John Vercoe) should you have any questions or concerns.
Domestic Abuse Helpline for Dorset (Paragon): 0800 032 5204
E Safety
At Thorner’s we know that new technologies have become integral to the lives of children and young people in today’s society, both within schools and in their lives outside school.
We teach the children at Thorner’s that the internet and other digital and information technologies are powerful tools, which open up new opportunities for everyone. Electronic communication helps teachers and pupils learn from each other. These technologies can stimulate discussion, promote creativity and increase awareness of context to promote effective learning. Children and young people should have an entitlement to safe internet access at all times. The requirement to ensure that children and young people are able to use the internet and related communications technologies appropriately and safely is addressed as part of our wider duty of care to which all who work in schools are bound. We teach internet safety through both our Computing and RSE Curriculum. Please see our Safeguarding Curriculum Map for more information about where and when this is covered.
Please see below for a series of useful links for parents and the opportunity for parents to report material that they feel is dangerous, inappropriate or offensive.
Parents and Carers – UK Safer Internet Centre
CEOP Education (thinkuknow.co.uk)
Report online material promoting terrorism or extremism – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)