Safeguarding at St Mary’s

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, we take safeguarding extremely seriously. The safety, wellbeing and protection of every child in our care is our highest priority.

We are committed to ensuring that all children feel safe, valued and listened to. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and all staff, governors and volunteers play a vital role in protecting children from harm.

We work closely with parents, carers and external agencies to ensure that children receive the care, support and protection they need.

OFSTED Report 2023 states:

Leaders have ensured that staff receive suitable and regular safeguarding training. Staff understand their important role in keeping pupils safe. Leaders and staff know the pupils’ families well and have built strong relationships. They are alert to any subtle changes in a pupil’s behaviour and/or character. Any concerns are recorded and reported promptly. Where necessary, leaders work with external agencies to support pupils and their families.

What We Do at School

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We:

  • Provide a safe and secure learning environment for all pupils
  • Ensure all staff and volunteers receive regular safeguarding training
  • Carry out safer recruitment checks for all adults working with children
  • Teach children how to keep themselves safe, including online safety
  • Promote children’s wellbeing through pastoral support
  • Encourage pupils to speak to trusted adults if they feel worried or unsafe
  • Work closely with families and external services to support children
  • Follow strict safeguarding and child protection procedures in line with national guidance
  • Record and respond promptly to any safeguarding concerns
  • Deliver safeguarding education through the curriculum, including Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Relationships Education

Safeguarding Team

If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact one of our safeguarding team members:

Designated Safeguarding Leader (DSL):
Mrs Wright

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leader (DDSL):
Mrs Messenger

Safeguarding Governor:
Father Nick Kern

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leader (DDSL):
Mrs Murray

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leader (DDSL):
Mrs Hemming  

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please speak to a member of the safeguarding team as soon as possible.

Reporting a Concern

If you have any concerns about a child at school, please:

Contact the school office
Ask to speak to the Designated Safeguarding Leader or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leader
A member of the safeguarding team will aim to support and help you

If parents or carers have worries or concerns about a child outside of school, you can contact:

Cheshire East Consultation Service (ChECS)
📞 0300 123 5012

Option 3

If a child is in immediate danger, always call 999.

Online Safety

Keeping children safe online is an important part of safeguarding.

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, we:

  • Teach children how to use the internet safely
  • Monitor internet use within school
  • Provide guidance to parents on keeping children safe online
  • Promote responsible use of technology
  • Address issues such as cyberbullying and online risks

We encourage parents to supervise children’s internet use at home and talk regularly about online safety.

The Prevent Duty

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School is committed to supporting the Prevent Duty, which aims to protect children from the risk of radicalisation and extremism.

We promote:

Respect for others
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
British values
Critical thinking skills
A safe environment where children feel able to express their views
Staff are trained to recognise signs of concern and respond appropriately.

Safeguarding Policies

Our safeguarding procedures follow guidance set out in:

  • Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children
  • Local authority safeguarding guidance

The following policies are available from the school office or website:

  • Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
  • Behaviour Policy
  • Anti-Bullying Policy
  • Online Safety Policy
  • Attendance Policy
  • Whistleblowing Policy
  • Staff Code of Conduct

Working with Parents and Carers

We believe that safeguarding works best when schools and families work together.

We encourage parents and carers to:

Share any concerns about their child
Inform us of changes that may affect their child’s wellbeing
Support school policies that promote safety and wellbeing
Talk to their children about staying safe

Visitors and Volunteers

All visitors to St Mary’s Catholic Primary School:

Must sign in at the school office
Wear identification badges
Follow safeguarding procedures
Are supervised where appropriate
Volunteers and staff are subject to safeguarding and DBS checks.

Our Safeguarding Ethos

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, we strive to:

Create a culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
Ensure every child feels safe, respected and valued
Support children’s emotional, physical and mental wellbeing
Listen carefully to children and take their concerns seriously
Act promptly and appropriately when concerns arise
Safeguarding is central to our mission as a Catholic school, where every child is valued as a unique individual created in the image of God.