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Safeguarding

If you are concerned about the safety or welfare of a child then you should act without delay. Below are links to organisations which provide excellent support and advice for young people: 

The NSPCC helpline for anyone who may have experienced sexual harm in schools can be reached on 0800 136 663

Safeguarding is about ensuring that everyone is safe from harm - safe from bullying, safe from people who could abuse, safe from discrimination or harassment, safe from radicalisation - and that we all feel safe in our environment. If your child is ever concerned about safety or wellbeing or concerned about a friend, they should talk to someone such as a parent/carer, a teacher or a member of staff at school.

The protection of children is the proper concern of everyone in a position to help. The Oxford Academy has a legal duty to educate young people in preventing harm and reporting any concerns that we may have about a child’s welfare to partner agencies. This involves creating a climate of trust so that young people feel they will be listened to and helped by an adult in our school.

Primary responsibility for the care and protection of children rests with parents/carers but a range of services are available to help you with this task. Parents/carers seeking help for themselves make many referrals to other agencies. Relatives, friends and neighbours may also encourage families to seek help or directly alert authorities to children about whom they are concerned.

Under the Education Act 2002 (Section 175 for maintained schools/Section 157 for academies/free/independent schools), schools must make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

Parents/carers should know that the law (Children Act 1989) requires all school staff to pass on information which gives rise to a concern about a child’s welfare, including risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

Staff will seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with the parent/carer and, where possible, seek their consent to make a referral to Children’s Social Care if that is considered necessary. This will only be done where such discussion will not place the child at increased risk of significant harm.

The school will seek advice from Children’s Social Care when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Occasionally, concerns are passed on, which are later found to be unfounded.

Parents/carers will appreciate that the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead carries out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and acts in the best interests of all children.

The designated safeguarding lead is Mike Baptiste. He can be reached at [email protected]. He will work with other people to address the problems and ensure everyone is safe.

School policies are in place to ensure that there is a consistent approach to practices throughout The Oxford Academy and that they are understood and adhered to by staff, governors and volunteers.  Adults have a tremendous impact on young children and with this in mind, adults at The Oxford Academy:

  • Promote a happy, caring and safe school
  •  An environment of trust
  • Are good role models for children
  • Enjoy their work, working with children
  • Welcome and support visitors to the school
  • Work within the agreed policies to report incidents which concern them
  • Encourage children to think for themselves, ask questions and find answers

We all know that children thrive better and are able to reach their full potential when school and families work closely together.

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