The Priory School is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all our children in school and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Our Approach to Safeguarding
We believe that students have a right to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment, including the right to protection from all types of abuse. Staff are vigilant for signs of students who may be in distress and are confident in applying the appropriate processes to avert and alleviate concerns.
Our safeguarding philosophy is ‘it could happen here’. We therefore respond to all safeguarding concerns with an open mind and take concerns seriously.
We have a Child Protection policy which defines the procedures in place, with regular quality assurance to ensure that these procedures are followed correctly. All staff receive Level 1 Child Protection training and all staff are appointed in line with safer recruitment protocols. The school uses CPOMS to record all child protection records.
All staff, including supply staff, volunteers and Governors, must ensure that they are aware of these procedures.
What Safeguarding Means
Safeguarding is about ensuring that everyone is safe from harm — safe from bullying, safe from people who could abuse, safe from discrimination or harassment — and that we all feel safe in our environment.
If your child is ever concerned about their own safety or wellbeing, or is worried about a friend, they should talk to one of the school’s Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs).
Working with Other Agencies
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a student’s welfare.
Where possible, we will ensure that concerns about our students are discussed with their parents or carers first, unless we have reason to believe that doing so would be contrary to the student’s welfare.
If You Have a Safeguarding Concern
If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please contact one of the school’s Designated Safeguarding Leads.
Designated Safeguarding Leads
Mrs Nearney (Lead DSL), Mr Foster, Mrs Hill, Mrs Laycock, Mrs Cochrane, Miss Malik, Mr Freeland, Miss Omar and Mrs Shipp.
Contact: You can contact these staff members via the main school number. Alternatively, email pastoral@priory.herts.sch.uk. Please state that you are contacting the school about a safeguarding matter.
Policies
Our Child Protection policy, Safeguarding Summary for Parents/Carers and Acceptable Use Agreements are available on our Policies page.
