Key Staff – Safeguarding Team
The Designated Safeguarding Lead is:
Mrs Hayley Birch, Assistant Headteacher (Currently on Maternity Leave as of October 2024)
Miss Sophie Webster, Deputy Headteacher
The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are:
Mr Adam Jones, Headteacher
Mrs Fiona Davenport, Safeguarding & Pastoral Administrator
Mrs Kathryn Danby, Wellbeing Manager
The Safeguarding Governor is:
Mrs Judith Macpherson
The Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Lead is:
Mrs Kathryn Danby
All of the above colleagues have been trained to the level required for Designated Safeguarding Leads. They ensure their training is kept up to date and certification is available to this effect in our Reception area. Two Safeguarding Leaders have also completed additional qualifications in Mental Health Awareness and Promotion through CACHE.
Our Pastoral Heads of Year have also completed Further Safeguarding Training.
The Safeguarding Team is the focus for school staff, and others, who may have concerns about an individual child’s safety or well-being and is the first point of contact for external agencies.
Child Protection
Please refer to our Child Protection Policy for the full procedural framework on our Child Protection duties. Staff at our school are alerted to the fact that, whilst some concerns are broadly safeguarding issues, there may be some instances where a child or children may be at immediate risk of harm or neglect. For example; this could be due to a child displaying risky behaviours in terms of the activities they are involved in or the groups they are associated with or staff may be aware of information about a child’s family that may equally place a child at risk of harm. (These examples are for illustration and are not definitive or exhaustive) Therefore all adults working at our school (including visiting staff, volunteers, contractors, and students on placement) are required to report instances where they believe a child may be at immediate risk of harm or neglect to the Designated Safeguarding Lead/Headteacher.
Safeguarding Training
NGHS staff receive regular training in safeguarding and are given the latest updates as they emerge by a member of the Designated Safeguarding Team. As a school we recognise that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility.
Our Pastoral Heads of Year have received Further Child Protection training (formerly Level 2 qualification).
Role of Governing Body
The Governing Body will undertake appropriate training to ensure that they are clear about their role and the parameters of their responsibilities as Governors, including their statutory safeguarding duties. The Governing Body of our school will support the ethos and values of our school. Governors will review the child protection policy at least annually and may amend and adopt it outside of this timeframe in accordance with any new legislation or guidance, or in response to any quality assurance recommendations pertaining to the delivery of this policy and the overall safeguarding arrangements made. The Governor with responsibility for Safeguarding is Mrs Judith Macpherson.
Action in response to a referral
On occasion, our safeguarding team may also seek the advice of Family Connect regarding allegations that may be brought to our attention. This information will be dealt with as confidentially as possible.
Parents and those with parental responsibility do need to be aware that there are legal responsibilities laid upon a school to report allegations to Social Services or the Police and we have to follow safeguarding procedures if such information is passed to us.
For more information for those with parental responsibility please visit Family Connect.
The School also works with over 15 other agencies and support workers from different charities and organisations to best help students who need additional support.