Safeguarding at Brightwalton C.E. Primary School

At Brightwalton C.E. Primary School, keeping children safe is our highest priority. We want every child to feel safe, happy, respected, and able to flourish both in and out of the classroom.

We follow the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE 2025), Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023), the Education Act 2002, the Children and Families Act 2014, the Equality Act 2010, and the Prevent Duty (2015).

This means that everything we do is designed to protect children and promote their welfare.

At Brightwalton, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Together, we create a school where children are safe, cared for, and given every opportunity to succeed!

What Safeguarding Means

Safeguarding at Brightwalton means:

• Protecting children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, radicalisation and extremism.

• Helping them to stay healthy and safe.

• Making sure they are cared for in safe and supportive environments.

• Taking action quickly and effectively if concerns arise.

Children are also taught, through our curriculum and daily practice, how to stay safe online, in relationships, and in the wider world. They know they have trusted adults to talk to if they are worried about something.

Who Leads Safeguarding in Our School

• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Mrs Sara Slade

• Deputy DSL: Mrs Carla Harding/ Mrs Tessa Woodhead

• Safeguarding Governor: Mrs Denise Herrington

• The Headteacher and Governing Board hold overall responsibility for ensuring that our safeguarding arrangements are effective.

All staff, governors and volunteers receive regular training and are subject to safer recruitment checks, including enhanced DBS clearance.

How We Keep Children Safe Every Day

• Safer recruitment: All staff, governors and volunteers are carefully checked before working with children.

• Online safety: Children are taught how to stay safe online, and parents are supported with advice for home.

• Filtering and monitoring: We buy-back West Berkshire Council's managed cloud based filtering and monitoring package.

• Prevent Duty: We work to protect children from the risks of radicalisation and extremism.

• Inclusion and SEND: We make reasonable adjustments so that every child, including those with disabilities or additional needs, can learn and thrive.

• Multi-agency working: We work closely with the Local Authority, health services and social care to ensure children and families get the right help at the right time.

• Allegations and concerns: We follow clear procedures for dealing with concerns about adults in school, including low-level concerns, in line with KCSIE Part 4.

If You Are Worried About a Child

If you are concerned about a child’s safety or wellbeing:

• Speak to our DSL or Deputy DSL straight away.

• Alternatively, contact West Berkshire Council Children and Families Social Care on 01635 503090 or email child@westberks.gov.uk.

• In an emergency, always call 999.

Policies and Further Information

Our safeguarding arrangements are explained in detail in the following policies, available on our website:

• Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

• Online Safety Policy

• Behaviour and Exclusions Policy

• Whistleblowing Policy