What We Do

A copy of our Child Protection Policy is available from our Policies page here.

A copy of our Child Protection Leaflet for visitors to the school is available from the Downloads section below.

At St Laurence School we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. We believe that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility and we work hard to cultivate a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We promote this through staff training, in student briefings and tutorials, at parent information evenings and via the parent/carer bulletin.

Where you may have a concern about a child or you wish to report something, please see your Tutor or House Team in the first instance. They will be able to direct you to relevant support.

A guide for parents and visitors…

You MUST sign in on arrival and out on departure.
You MUST wear your badge at all times.
You MUST remain with your host unless you have prior DBS clearance and it has been agreed that you can be unaccompanied.

  • Provide a good example and positive role model to students
  • Behave in a mature, respectful, safe and considered manner
  • Treat all students equally
  • Only touch students for professional reasons, and when this is necessary and appropriate for the student’s safety or wellbeing
  • Only communicate with students through official school channels
  • Keep mobile/electronic devices switched off and physically secure (e.g. in bags).
  • Staff, visitors and volunteers must not:
  • Make arrangements to see, communicate or meet with students outside your work (this includes use of e-mail, text and other messaging systems)
  • Invite students to become network friends on social media
  • Behave in a way which could bring the school into disrepute

What is abuse?

Any form of neglect, physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that leads to harm or injury. It can happen to any young person regardless of their age, gender, race or ability.

People working in schools are uniquely placed to notice signs and symptoms of abuse and to support young people who are subject to abuse or living in abusive situations

Which children need protection?

You may become aware whilst working with a child that there are some problems at home or elsewhere that give you cause for concern.

You may become aware of unexplained marks or bruising, or changes in the child’s behaviour or demeanour. Sometimes children display aggressive behaviour, become withdrawn and uncommunicative or unable to concentrate.

What should I do if a child discloses that s/he is being harmed?

  • Although the likelihood of this is small it is important to know what to do in such an eventuality.
  • Listen to the child, without making judgements.
  • Take what they tell you seriously, children rarely lie about such matters.
  • Explain that you can’t keep the information secret and must pass it on to someone who will know what to do.
  • Don’t interrogate the child or ask leading questions, such as “what did he do next”.
  • Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by telling someone.
  • Don’t make promises that you can’t keep but tell the child what you are going to do.
  • REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO A MEMBER OF THE SAFEGUARDING TEAM. You are likely be asked to make a written record of what you have seen or heard. This is an important part of your safeguarding responsibilities. You will be asked to summarise your concerns in writing including the students name if known, or give a brief description of the student. If the student has told you they are being harmed, write down as accurately as possible what was said

What should I do if the alleged abuser is a member of the school staff?

You should report such allegations to the Headteacher, Mr Farrer. If the allegation is about the Headteacher, contact the Chair of Governors Ingrid Maher Roberts email: chairofgovernors@st-laurence.com

Prevent Preventing Radicalisation/Tackling Extremism

Keeping children safe in education is our priority. This school works in partnership with the wider school community to ensure children and their families are safeguarded from radicalisation and extremism. In line with the PREVENT duty we will ensure that all staff and governors are trained, informed, recognise vulnerability and mitigate the risks. We mitigate identified risks and ensure the curriculum embeds British Values, teaching our staff, children and visitors to be tolerant and have respect for all faiths within out multi-cultural society. This is underpinned by a range of other school policies including ‘e’ safety, curriculum, staffing and safer recruitment.

PLEASE HELP US TO SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN IN OUR CARE BY FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES.