Keeping Children Safe
We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice.
Where it is believed that a child is at risk of or is suffering significant harm, the school will follow the procedures set out in the Blackburn with Darwen Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) Procedures.
Our core safeguarding principles are:
- the school’s responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children is of paramount importance
- safer children make more successful learners
- representatives of the whole-school community of pupils, parents, staff and governors will be involved in policy development and review
- policies relating to safeguarding will be reviewed annually
Prevention: Ashleigh Primary is committed to early help and identification of unmet needs and vulnerabilities. The school works in partnership with other agencies to promote the welfare of pupils and keep children safe.
Protection: All staff and volunteers are trained to recognise and respond to abuse and neglect. All staff and volunteers are expected to be vigilant and must act quickly when they suspect a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, harm (in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures).
Support: Our school acknowledges the sensitivity and complex nature of safeguarding and child protection and therefore ensures that pupils, staff and families are supported appropriately.
The safety of everyone in the school is given the highest priority.
Although highly unlikely, there may be an occasion when it becomes necessary to keep the children inside the school buildings for their safety. Examples could range from a dangerous dog or an adult who has managed to access school grounds who is perceived to be a threat, to sheltering from the fumes given off by a hazardous material spill during an incident on one of the roads or properties near the school.
Depending on the type and severity of the incident, it is possible you may be asked NOT to collect your children from school, as you may be putting yourself and your children at unnecessary risk. You may not be able to contact the school by telephone as we will be using this to contact the authorities. Please listen to the local radio stations for information. There may also be further information on the school website.
The usual way to contact you in an emergency will be via the school app.
As a result of an incident your children may have been moved from their normal classroom to another safer place within the school, so please, do not be unduly worried if they are not in their usual room when we message you to confirm they can be collected.
Weather
If the weather is causing problems locally, there may be occasions when we allow children to be collected before the end of the school day. If you do receive this message, again via the school app, please feel free to collect earlier than 3.30pm if you so wish. There is no problem if you can't however.