Safeguarding/Child Protection

The health, safety and welfare of all our children are of paramount importance to all the adults who work in our school. Our children have the right to protection – regardless of age, gender, race, culture or disability. They have a right to be safe in our academy.

The Academy is required to have rigorous policies and procedures in place to safeguard children. The Academy has several members of staff who have undertaken specialist training and take on the roles of Designated Senior Person (i.e. to deal with safeguarding and child protection concerns).

It may be helpful to know that the law places a duty on the Principal and their staff to report any obvious signs or suspected cases of child abuse – which include non-accidental injury, neglect, emotional abuse and/or sexual abuse. The procedures are intended to protect children at risk and all schools and academies nationally are expected to take the attitude that where there are grounds for concern it is better to be safe than sorry. This does mean that the Academy staff risks upsetting some parents/carers by reporting a case which, on investigation, proves unfounded. In such circumstances, it is hoped that parents and carers would accept that the staff acted in what were believed to the child’s best interests of the child.

In line with government requirements the Academy maintains a central list of checks on appointed staff and adults who work in or visit the Academy. Any volunteer or parent working in the Academy are subject to full background checks. The Academy has an agreed Child Protection Policy.

The policy is available to download on our Policies page.

Bringing Phones to School

Deeplish Primary Academy is a mobile‑phone‑free environment by default, in line with Department for Education (DfE) guidance.

Devices Covered

This policy applies to mobile phones, smartphones, smartwatches and any other device that has the ability to independently communicate (e.g. through voice or message), record (audio or visual) or take photos.

Sanctions

If a mobile phone is seen, heard or used during the school day, it will be confiscated immediately and kept until a parent collects it.

Exceptions

Exceptions may be made only where there is a clear safeguarding need. Where a child in [specify year groups] walks to and from school unaccompanied, parents may request permission for their child to bring a mobile phone for safety purposes. If approved, the phone must be switched off before entering the school premises and handed to the class teacher/office on arrival. It will be stored securely and returned at the end of the school day. Mobile phones must never be seen, heard or used on school premises.

Exceptions to this policy may also be made for pupils with disabilities or medical conditions where a mobile phone is necessary (e.g., to monitor blood sugar levels), or for pupils with specific individual circumstances (e.g., young carers). Parents/carers should contact members of the Pastoral team to discuss individual needs.

Concerns

If you have any concerns about a child or staff member’s behaviour then you can contact the following members of staff:

Designated Safeguarding Lead – Mr McPherson (Principal)

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads – Mrs Rowe (Vice Principal), Mrs Saleem (Head of Pastoral Care), Mrs Johnston (SENDCo) and Miss Swift (Assistant Principal). 

Safeguarding Link Governor - Mr Roberts

You can contact Mrs Saleem directly on: 07976 120221

You can contact Mrs Cuppello directly on: 07783 348106

If you want any further information about keeping safe online click here.

Safe After School Campaign

If your child goes to a club, madrassa or any organised event after school please look at the information about Rochdale’s Safe After School campaign. You can visit the site by clicking here or click on the image below.

If you would like to access support for your family then you can click the link below to see what advice and support is available through Rochdale’s Early Help offer.