Safeguarding

Safeguarding Information for Parents

At Middlestown Primary Academy we are committed to promoting the safeguarding and welfare of our children.

We have a Designated Safeguarding Team as below:

• Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs C Ashcroft (SLT, SENDCo)
• Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads: Mrs H Young (Headteacher). Miss C Rooke (Teacher), Mr J Andrews (Teacher) and Miss H Cooper (Office Manager).
• Safeguarding Governor: Mrs Kath Turner.

What does safeguarding mean?

• Protecting children from maltreatment;
• Protecting their health and development;
• Ensuring they grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care;
• To enable children to have the best life chances and enter adulthood successfully.

At Middlestown Primary Academy we take our safeguarding responsibility very seriously and achieve this in the following ways:

Physical Safety

Have one entrance into the school building for visitors, ensuring that they sign in and out and wear a visitor lanyard (red for those with a DBS check and a yellow one for those without).

Have termly fire drills.

Have termly health and safety walks carried out by a member of the Accord premises team and caretaker.

Carry out risk assessments prior to any off-site visit.

Emotional Safety

Have a values-based ethos where everyone is valued and views are treated with respect.

Provide a safe environment that provides opportunities to share any concerns, e.g. through circle time, SEALs work and our worry box.

Have a Learning Mentor with whom the children can share concerns.

Conduct nurture groups for vulnerable children.

Staffing

All the staff that work in school are subject to DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) checks.

All staff members attend regular safeguarding training.

Our safeguarding policy is reviewed annually.

Staff are trained in First Aid, with 5 members of staff having the Paediatric First Aid certificate – Mrs Carr, Miss Cooper, Mrs Thompson, Mrs Jones and Mrs Quinn

.

The school has a trained designated safeguarding lead (DSL): Mrs Ashcroft and four Deputy DSLs: Mrs Young, Miss Rooke, Mrs Andrews and Miss Cooper.

Curriculum

We ensure that topics such as road safety, Bikeability, stranger danger, e-safety and anti-bullying are taught in class, in assemblies and through themed weeks.

What if I have concerns?

Everyone has a responsibility to report any concerns they may have if they feel a child is at risk of physical/ emotional harm or neglect. You can speak in confidence to any professional you know, be it a teacher, doctor or health visitor. Don’t think ‘what if I’m wrong?’ think ‘what if I’m right?’.

If you require any more information on safeguarding, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Childline

Childline is a counselling service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday in the United Kingdom provided by the NSPCC. Childline deals with any issue which causes distress or concern.

Childline: 0800 1111  

Digital Safeguarding

Many children spend a lot of time on the computer or their mobile phone. The internet is a fabulous and exciting way of communicating, learning and entertaining, however we need to make sure that our children are using it safely.

Ask yourself:

How much do I know about the websites my child is visiting? How can I make it safe for my child to use the internet? How can I set parental controls to prevent unsuitable website viewing? Have I warned my child about being careful to whom they give their number and email address?

Here you can find some information about popular apps and games and how to make informed choices about how to support your children when using them.

Below are links to various websites providing useful information on digital safeguarding.

Wakefield Families Together

Wakefield Families Together brings services together, so that it’s easier for you to find and access the support you need, at the earliest opportunity.

Learn more here: https://www.wakefieldfamiliestogether.co.uk/family-hubs/

Pupil ICT/ Online Acceptable Use Agreement

At Middlestown Primary Academy we take our pupils’ safety seriously, including online safety. All pupils have been asked to sign their own agreements which can be viewed via the links below.

Our school will actively encourage children to think critically about content and communication from others and develop strategies for recognising inappropriate content/behaviours and how to deal with them. In return, the school expects the children to demonstrate that they are responsible users of digital technologies. Please support us to do this by reading the agreement and completing the digital form.

MOMO Challenge

Please see the documents below for information and advice on the ‘MOMO Challenge’.

Snapchat

Instagram

Roblox

TikTok

Sleep hygiene

Sleep is an important part of our well-being and can impact on our emotions, ability to function and ability to cope. It is quite common for children, adolescents and adults to experience some difficulties in sleeping from time to time. To support you and your family, you may find the following resources beneficial:

The Children’s Sleep Charity – A national award winning charity based in Doncaster which provides a range of leaflets and support for parents and professionals.

https://www.thechildrenssleepcharity.org.uk/parents.php

Unravel – Coronavirus and the importance of sleep for positive mental health.

https://unravelsupport.co.uk/the-importance-of-sleep-for-positive-mental-health/

Great Ormond St –Sleep hygiene 

Young Minds – Information about common sleep problems, with links to a parent helpline.

https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/feelings-and-symptoms/sleep-problems/

NHS Moodzone Audio – Dr Chris Williams explains what you can do to give yourself the best chance of a good night’s sleep – Suitable for adults although much of the advice is appropriate for children.

https://www.nhs.uk/Video/Pages/sleep-problems-podcast.aspx

10 tips to beat insomnia

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/10-tips-to-beat-insomnia/

NHS promoted apps to support good sleep

https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/filter/?categories=Sleep

How to sleep well checklist