Safeguarding

 

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Sam Page, Headteacher.

The Deputy DSL is Lucy Rodriguez Breen, Deputy Headteacher.

They can be contacted through the school office.

 

At The Windmills Junior School safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is our highest priority. We are committed to providing a safe, secure, and supportive environment free from discrimination or bullying, where children can learn and develop happily. All staff understand that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we maintain a strong culture of vigilance at all times whilst fostering an environment where pupils feel safe to speak to trusted adults. We operate a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, neglect, exploitation, and extremism.

 

We recognise our duty under The Children Act 1989 and 2004 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. We also meet our responsibilities under The Prevent Duty (Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015) to prevent pupils from being drawn into extremism and radicalisation. We adhere to statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education, and ensure that all safeguarding practices are robust, effective, and consistently applied.

 

We ensure that:

 

    • There is a fully trained Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSL who oversee all safeguarding and child protection matters.
    • All staff receive regular safeguarding training, including how to recognise the signs of abuse and neglect, how to identify pupils who may be vulnerable to extremist ideologies, and are required to report any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
    • Robust procedures are in place for reporting concerns, and all concerns are taken seriously, recorded accurately, and acted upon promptly, including making referrals where necessary.
    • We maintain accurate safeguarding records and ensure appropriate information sharing in line with statutory guidance. Confidentiality is respected at all times, and information is shared on a need-to-know basis to protect children.
    • Safer recruitment procedures are rigorously followed in line with statutory requirements, including appropriate pre-employment checks to ensure suitability to work with children.
    • We uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, helping pupils to develop the knowledge and skills needed to stay safe from radicalisation and extremism.
    • Pupils are taught how to stay safe and build resilience to risks, including online safety and critical thinking skills, through a broad and balanced curriculum.

 

We take a proactive approach to identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns, working in partnership with families and external agencies. The procedures we follow have been laid down by West Sussex County Council and we have adopted their model policy, for the safety of all. We also have a separate policy on preventing extremism and radicalisation. You can find these on our policies page.

 

It may be helpful for parents to know that the Local Authority requires Headteachers to report any obvious or suspected cases of child abuse which includes non-accidental injury, severe physical neglect, emotional abuse and/or sexual abuse. This procedure is intended to protect children at risk, and schools are encouraged to take the attitude that where there are grounds for suspicion it is better to be safe than sorry. This does mean that Headteachers risk upsetting some parents by reporting a case, which on investigation proves unfounded. In such circumstances, we hope that parents will accept that the Headteacher is acting in what are believed to be the child’s best interests, appreciating how difficult it is to carry out this delicate responsibility.