Dear Parent/Carer,
This letter provides an annual update to parents on the Safeguarding measures that are taken at Robin Hood. Safeguarding covers all aspects of child safety, welfare and wellbeing and includes attendance, medicines, behaviour, Health & Safety and what children are taught about healthy lifestyles and safe practices.
In this letter, I share with you our policies and practices that relate to Safeguarding. School policies are in place to ensure that there is a consistent approach to practice throughout the school. It is my role as Headteacher to ensure that policies are adhered to by staff, governors and volunteers in school.
Adults have a tremendous impact on young children and, with this in mind, adults at Robin Hood:
• are good role models for children
• contribute to a climate of trust and co-operation
• work within the agreed policies of the school
• promote a happy, caring and safe school environment
• encourage children to think for themselves, ask questions and find answers
• create an environment of trust
• support and challenge children in their learning
• are conscientious and hard-working
• recognise, value and celebrate the strengths of every individual within the building.
Child Protection
All staff receive Child Protection training. This training was updated for all staff in September 2010. School and other services for children and families work together to support the needs of children. I am the designated Child Protection Officer in the school at this time. There is a named Governor for Child Protection. Currently, this is Jenny Curgenven. The Child Protection Policy can be viewed on the school website.
Attendance
Children’s attendance at school is monitored on a daily basis. Notable absences, patterns of absence and/or late marks are investigated by Mrs Comstive, our Learning Mentor. Attendance matters or concerns can be addressed to myself, to Mrs Comstive, or to Mrs Cookson, our SEN co-ordinator.
In serious cases of persistent absence, the Attendance Strategy Team is involved. All schools have a responsibility for promoting good attendance. Our school prides itself on its very good attendance figures. Our Attendance Policy can be viewed on the school website.
Behaviour
High standards of behaviour are expected at all times at Robin Hood. Pupils respect for our school and for one another is very high. Where necessary, children are reminded about the importance of everyone being happy and keeping safe. In the rare event of behaviour consistently falling below the level of our expectations, we will deal sensitively with the issue and engage with parents in order to bring about a swift return to acceptable standards. Our Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policy can be viewed on the school website.
Health and Safety
All adults at Robin Hood are aware that they have a responsibility to ensure children and adults are able to work in a healthy and safe environment. The school has a number of First Aid and Paediatric First Aid-trained members of staff who deal with accidents, should they occur.
Curriculum
Through the planned curriculum we ensure that the issues of healthy eating, physical exercise and safety are taught. This is enhanced by the many visitors to school, eg; Police Officers - who talk to the children about issues such as road safety, safe people and drugs awareness - the School Nurse, etc.
Safer recruitment and selection
I hold the certificate in Safer Recruiting. At least one member of every interview panel has completed the Safer Recruiting training. All staff new to the school and volunteers who work in school on a regular basis have a CRB, List 99 and ISA check. Full references are acquired before any person takes up a post at the school.
Complaints
Should parents have any complaints the school staff will listen to your concerns and will follow up any issues arising. There is a clear procedure in place. I am always happy to meet with you and help resolve any issues. The school is committed to working closely with parents / carers for the benefit of our children. No problem is too small and, if dealt with immediately, can often be prevented from becoming a bigger issue. If you continue to feel an issue has not been resolved then you can contact the complaints committee of the governing body. Our Complaints Policy can be viewed on the school website.
In the twelve months since I last wrote to you with details of the Safeguarding measures we take, we have:
• Added additional signage around the school site
• Added signage to the Car Park area
• Worked with Leeds City Council to improve disabled parking access on Leeds Road
• Improved disabled access at the front of the school
• Improved security features on the Community Annexe building
• Added further safety fencing to the front of the school
• Added further safety features to the gate onto the Main Road adjacent to the Nursery Building
• Reviewed and updated all policies, practices and procedures
• Commissioned an independent review of Safeguarding, using ofsted and Education Leeds guidance
• Held a Safety Awareness Week in November 2010
• Had Health & Safety and Environmental Health reviews in our kitchen and in Friendly Faces
• Completed termly Health & Safety checks and acted upon the recommendations of our Health & Safety Officers
Other relevant policies that can be viewed on the school website:
• Lost & Missing Children
• Medicines in School
• Race Equality
• Safeguarding
• SEN & Inclusion
We all know that children thrive better and are able to reach their full potential when school and families work closely together. Everyone at Robin Hood is totally committed to this and we look forward to our continuing close partnership with you now and into the future.
Yours sincerely,
M.Wilson
Headteacher
March 2011
