Safeguarding
Safeguarding children is everybody’s responsibility
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, you are encouraged to report it to one of the members of staff (below) or ring Somerset Direct on 0300 1232224.
North Newton School Safeguarding Statement
North Newton Primary staff and governors are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. We expect all volunteers and parents/carers to share this commitment.
- Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is: Deborah Leach
- Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL) are: Kate Cox and Tracey Burke
- Our Safeguarding Governor is: Mrs Kate Bown
- Our Chair of Governors is: Mrs Kate Bown
Out of hours contact details:
Deborah Leach (DSL) dsl@nncps.org this mailbox is monitored regularly.
Our school is a safe and happy environment for children where adults are vigilant about keeping them safe and a safeguarding culture is embedded throughout the school. All staff and volunteers are subject to safer recruitment checks on their appointment. We actively support the Government’s PREVENT Agenda to counter radicalisation and extremism.
We have several policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Safeguarding Policy.
Reporting Concerns:
We listen to our children and take seriously what they tell us. All school staff receive safeguarding training and children are made aware of the adults they can talk to if they have any concerns.
Staff are regularly trained to be aware of signs of physical/emotional harm or neglect and report these to Deborah Leach (DSL).
At all times we will work in partnership and endeavour to establish effective working relationships with parents, carers and colleagues from other agencies in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023).
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that a child is at immediate risk of harm.
Should the DSL and DDSL be off-site, please contact Kevin Bryant at Somerset Bridge Primary School (01278 422100), explaining you have an urgent safeguarding concern.
If you have a concern about another member of staff’s behaviour towards a child/children, please report it immediately to the DSL/DDSL or to Anthony Goball – LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer)
GOV: Keeping Children Safe In Education 2025 – Part One
Guidelines for Visitors
Signing in and out
All visitors to North Newton Community Primary School must sign in and out in the school office using Sign-in app. Visitors will be issued with a visitor’s badge which must be worn at all times. When leaving school, all visitors must sign out and return their visitor’s badge to the office.
What are my responsibilities as a visitor?
Please remember that our main concern is always for the children, this overrides concerns for any adult, including parents and staff. We all have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children. Visitors should act promptly if they witness an incident which could give them rise to concern. It is unlikely that in a single visit you would spot any safeguarding concerns, but should this happen all incidents must be reported to a member of staff.
How do I ensure my behaviour is always appropriate?
Appropriate relationships with our children should be based on mutual trust and respect; You should model respectful behaviour. Our children are very well behaved and polite but they are children and do get it wrong from time to time. If you spot any disrespectful behaviour please report it to a member of staff who will deal with it.
DO NOT photograph, record or video children without permission.
Safeguarding Survey November 2022
Parent Safeguarding Survey November 2022
Safeguarding Policy
Online Safety
If you feel you need support to help your child keep safe online, CEOP have many resources which can help. The following link is a good place to start:
I am a child
I am an adult
Keeping things positive!NSPCC Positive Parenting
Working together to safeguard children
Child on child abuse – what is it and what could it mean?
PREVENT: What parents need to know
Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership
Whistleblowing
Whistleblowing Policy – every maintained school has a school whistleblowing policy that protects staff members who report colleagues they believe are doing something wrong or illegal, or who are neglecting their duties. Whistleblowing is when a worker reports suspected wrongdoing at work.