Safeguarding

Pope Paul Catholic Primary School

Safeguarding Statement 2025/2026

Keeping children safe in our school is central to our mission as a Catholic school. We believe that our children are made in the image and likeness of God and so we seek to nurture and care for them so that they may flourish and grow. We seek to establish and maintain an ethos and culture where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened and responded to when they have a worry or concern.

We strive to establish and maintain an ethos and culture where school staff, visitors and parents feel safe, are encouraged to talk and are listened and responded to when they have concerns about the safety and well-being of a child.

We seek to ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried.

We work to ensure that children, who have additional/unmet needs are supported appropriately. This could include referrals to Early Help Services or Child Protection Contacts to specialist services if they are a child in need or have been / are at risk of being abused and neglected.

We consider how children may be taught about safeguarding, including online, through teaching and learning opportunities, as part of providing a broad and balanced curriculum. Refer to KCSiE Part two:2023

Staff members working with children are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ and ‘it could be happening to this child’, where safeguarding is concerned. When concerned about the welfare of a child, staff members will always act in the interests of the child.

All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. All staff and volunteers working at our school have a responsibility for ensuring that each child remains safe and to report any concerns to one of the safeguarding team: Mrs Heymoz (Head Teacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead), Mrs McNamara and Ms Pemberton (Deputy Safeguarding Leads)

Our safeguarding policies cover all areas of school life and include:

• Staff & Visitors: Ensuring they are vetted, informed & trained. Children’s Behaviour Promoting safer & happier behaviours & lifestyles.
• Parents & Carers: Promoting links & supporting families. Premises: Keeping them safe, pleasant & fit for purpose.
• Curriculum providing positive, life affirming learning experiences.
• Outside School Ensuring safer activities and environments outside school