Keeping children safe is our highest priority
At Old Bank Academy the health, safety and well-being of all of our children is our highest priority. Parents and families send their children to our school each day, trusting us to provide a secure environment in which their children will flourish. We do everything we can to ensure that this expectation is a reality in our school.
In order to do this, a wide range of measures are put in place detailed below
Our designated safeguarding leads are:
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Deputy Safeguarding Lead
What do DSL's do?
• Respond to any safeguarding concerns
• Liaise with social care and other agencies
• Talk to parents about concerns raised where appropriate
• Update safeguarding records
• Lead and coordinate whole school training and updates
• Meet regularly with the safeguarding team and teachers to communicate relevant information
• Meet the safeguarding Governor and report to Governors
• Update the school safeguarding policy in line with Trust central team direction
• Attend local DSL networks and training
Child Protection & Safeguarding
There is a detailed Child Safeguarding Policy, which is available on our Policies page but can be also found here:
Health & Safety
Everyone is responsible for health and safety and any concerns can be raised with the site team or senior leadership. Our children are also encouraged to be involved with the health and safety in school and report any concerns they may have.
Fire drills to practice efficient and safe evacuation from the buildings takes place regularly and fire risk assessments and visits from the Fire Service and the Local Authority Fire Officers support the Academy.
In addition to the Health and Safety Policy there are policies and risk assessments in place regarding food preparation and hygiene. These determine safe practices in school and the kitchen/ dining room.
Curriculum
The Academy follows the SCARF personal, social, health and emotional curriculum through weekly sessions along with special sessions with CORAM Life education experts that address, age appropriately, relevant issues with the children. We also discuss a wide range of issues around safety and wellbeing on a regular basis in assemblies. Our Academy welfare team is also playing an integral part in keeping our children safe and caring for their wellbeing on a daily basis.
First Aid
We have key trained members of staff, designated to oversee first aid and there are a number of first aid kits situated around school.
Where there is any cause for concern, staff deal with children with the utmost sensitivity and always seek guidance from a member of the school leadership team. Wherever necessary, parents will be contacted or asked to come into school immediately so that they are part of the decision making process for such matters.
In the case of an emergency, the school will call for emergency treatment first before contacting the parent.
Site Security
Old Bank Academy is a secure site with door access controls and a visitor register. We have clear routines and procedures in place, but the site is only as secure as the people who use it and the whole school community has a responsibility to help us maintain security. Our children and parents are crucial to this process and we encourage you to report any concerns to the school office.
We take great care to maintain a secure site around the perimeter of the school and all children are supervised at all times. We lock our school gates during the school day and visitors must always report to school via the main reception.
Appointment and Induction of Staff
All staff appointed to work in school, including work/student placements, have a criminal record search called a DBS check.
Several members of school staff and the school’s governing body have received training on safer recruitment.
All volunteers must have an induction session and also have DBS clearance. For any extended contact with children, when children may be left alone with an adult, or when an adult visitor may be in and around the school building, a full DBS search will be conducted. Visitors who do not yet have clearance will under no circumstance be left alone with a child or group of children.
Online Safety
Children should be encouraged to use the internet, but at all times in a safe way. The Academy runs a Smoothwall system as well as monitoring that flags inappropriate use of Academy IT equipment to senior leaders who take immediate action to keep everyone safe.
Whistleblowing
If members of staff ever have any concerns about people working within the school, paid or unpaid, they have a professional duty to inform the Headteacher or Governing body accordingly. This can be done in writing or verbally but staff should be prepared to discuss issues in the confidence that any such matter will be dealt with sensitively and with the highest appropriate level of confidentiality.
Excellent attendance is expected of all children. However, in the event that a child is unwell parents are asked to report absence by 8.30 am on the first day using our main school number 01924 495790.
On occasions where a child’s attendance and punctuality cause concern, this is dealt with by our designated safeguarding lead – Mrs Liddle. Attendance rates are reported each term to the LA, annually to the government, and to all parents. Positive systems are in place to encourage children to attend regularly and punctually, and the school is aware of its right to issue fixed penalties to parents who do not ensure good attendance and punctuality.
In exceptional circumstances, leave of absence may be requested in writing by submitting a letter to the head at least 30 days in advance, and explaining in detail what the exceptional circumstances are.
All staff appointed to work in school, including work/student placements, have a criminal record search called a DBS check. This search highlights people who have a criminal record or if previous allegations have been made against them. If any member of staff is found to have a criminal record, the appointment is reconsidered by the school with support and advice from the Local Authority.
Several members of school staff and the school’s governing body have received training on Safer Recruitment and all appointment panels where the candidates are external applicants will be attended by at least one appropriately trained member.
Newly appointed staff are assigned a mentor for their induction period. It is the responsibility of the mentors to familiarise new staff with procedures, policies and Old Bank Academy’s safeguarding practices, which affect the health and safety of all at school, especially the children.
All volunteers must have an induction session and also have DBS clearance. For any extended contact with children, when children may be left alone with an adult, or when an adult visitor may be in and around the school building, a full DBS search will be conducted. Visitors who do not yet have clearance will under no circumstance be left alone with a child or group of children.
Children should be encouraged to use the internet, but at all times in a safe way. Pupils must never be left unattended whilst online and teachers should ensure that this does not happen. If any adult or child suspects misuse, either by a teacher or child, the issue must be reported to the Head (Mrs Liddle) without delay.
At Old Bank, we have taken a sensible, balanced approach, which allows parents to photograph and video, providing they follow certain guidelines: introducing the Acceptable Use Policy for parent’s forms part of this approach.
Parents taking photographs are advised in advance of all school events that photographs must be for their own use within their families, and are not to be used in any social media.
Photography & Filming
At Old Bank, we have taken a sensible, balanced approach, which allows parents to photograph and video, providing they follow certain guidelines: introducing the Acceptable Use Policy for parent’s forms part of this approach.
Parents taking photographs are advised in advance of all school events that photographs must be for their own use within their families, and are not to be used in any social media.
Image Consent
Old Bank uses images of children, both on our website and in press releases. However, parents are given the option at intake to refuse the use of their child’s image. Parents can change their preferences at any time by requesting a consent form from the office.
At Old Bank Academy we work to ensure that everyone is treated fairly. All children are given equal access to the school and its curriculum and all are considered equal in the learning partnership.
When children have special needs, we make arrangements to inform parents and design specific programmes. We ensure that the outcomes for all groups of children allow them to reach their full potential.
Children with physical needs and disabilities must be able to take a full and active part in every lesson and activity, and every measure is taken to ensure this.
Good behaviour is essential in any community and we have high expectations for this. Our Behaviour Policy shows our strong emphasis on positive approaches, but also our clear boundaries in responding to behaviour choices that threaten the learning, wellbeing or safety of others.
If members of staff ever have any concerns about people working within the school, paid or unpaid, they have a professional duty to inform the Headteacher or Governing body accordingly. This can be done in writing or verbally but staff should be prepared to discuss issues in the confidence that any such matter will be dealt with sensitively and with the highest appropriate level of confidentiality.
