At Wouldham, keeping children safe is our primary concern and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and well-being of all children, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This means that we have specific procedures and a clearly defined Child Protection Policy in place. All staff (including supply staff, volunteers and governors) must ensure that they are aware of these procedures. All staff and governors undertake annual safeguarding training and this is part of our staff induction process.
Roles and Responsibilities
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Mrs Victoria Baldwin (Headteacher)
Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
- Mr Tristan Wyatt - Hughes (Deputy Head teacher)
- Mrs Caroline Gates (Assistant Headteacher and Inclusion Lead)
- Mrs Rebecca Smajli (Assistant Headteacher and EYFS Lead).
The Governor With Responsibility for Safeguarding
- Mrs April Watts (Chair of Governors)
The Designated Persons for Looked After Children (LAC)
- Mrs Caroline Gates
- Mr Tristan Wyatt-Hughes
- Working in partnership with our FLO, Mrs Clare Hardie
All school staff are trained in Child Protection, and children are made aware of the adults they can talk to if they have any concerns. Staff are trained to look out for signs of physical/emotional harm or neglect and are required to report these to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). At Wouldham, all staff are trained to use CPOMS, an online ‘Child Protection Online Monitoring System’ through which all safeguarding concerns are recorded.
Should you have any concerns about the welfare, health or safety of a child please contact one of our safeguarding team.
During school hours the safeguarding team can be contacted on 01634 861 434 or email headteacher@wouldham.kent.sch.uk
In case of school closures or out of school hours, the safeguarding team can be contacted on the email address above.
There may also be times when adults are concerned about children in the community.
If so, then you can contact Kent County Council's Child Protection department or The NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.
If a child is in immediate danger then call 999.
Please don't ignore concerns; child protection is everyone's responsibility.
British Values and the Prevent Duty
We recognise and celebrate the fact that we are held together by the shared human values of Respect & Tolerance, Individual Liberty, Democracy and Rule of Law.
At Wouldham, all staff are trained to recognise signs of radicalisation and extremism in line with the requirements of the Prevent Duty and Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Please click below for a link to the Prevent Duty for Schools:
gov.uk/government/publications/the-prevent-duty-safeguarding-learners-vulnerable-to-radicalisation
Safer Working Practices
From first contact with the school, all adults working with children - school staff, visiting professionals, volunteers in school and student placements - are rigorously checked using the Disclosure and Barring service, the Disqualification by association documents and, for all staff, references are collated, and for teachers, the online prohibition check is completed. Vacancies are advertised in accordance with safeguarding principles and Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE 2024). A detailed document - the school central record - is kept updated and contains all statutory evidence.
Useful Safeguarding Websites
The PANTS / Underwear rule – guidance for parents on how to talk to your child about keeping themselves safe from sexual abuse.
Childline - a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help, we're here for you online, on the phone, anytime.
NSPCC - stands for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. It means that each of us has a responsibility to keep childhood free from abuse, and we must do everything possible to protect children and prevent it from happening.