Safeguarding
Health, Safety, and Safeguarding at Waterfoot Primary School
Waterfoot Primary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the physical, mental and emotional welfare of every pupil. We implement a whole-school preventative approach to managing safeguarding concerns, ensuring that the wellbeing of pupils is at the forefront of all action taken. We recognise that no single professional can have a full picture of a child’s needs and circumstances. If children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action.
Comprehensive Site Safety Measures
· CCTV Surveillance: Continuous monitoring of school grounds to deter unauthorised access and enhance pupil safety.
· Dual Barrier Security: External fencing combined with padlocked internal playground fencing ensures controlled and safe access to outdoor areas.
· Paxton Fob Controlled Access: Electronic door access restricts entry to authorised personnel, preventing unauthorised access to the school building.
· Reception Security Barrier: Secure reception area controls visitor access, ensuring that only vetted individuals enter the main school premises.
· Visitor Identification and Supervision: Visitors without enhanced DBS checks wear red lanyards and are accompanied by staff at all times to maintain supervision and safety.
· Rigorous DBS Checks: All staff and visitors with unsupervised access to pupils undergo enhanced DBS checks, ensuring suitability and safeguarding compliance.
Health and Safety Policies to support Safeguarding
· Written Health and Safety Policy: We maintain and implement a comprehensive health and safety policy aligned with legal requirements, supported by regular staff training.
· Risk Assessment Procedures: Detailed risk assessments are conducted for all school activities, including off-site educational visits, with appropriate measures taken to mitigate identified risks.
· Fire Safety: Fire precautions comply with relevant laws, including accessible alert systems and clear evacuation plans tailored to pupil needs. Fire drills are conducted at least once per term, with at least one overnight drill annually for boarders or as assessed necessary.
· Annual Lockdown Drills: In addition to fire drills, we conduct annual lockdown drills to prepare staff and pupils for emergency situations requiring immediate securing of the premises. see School Lockdown Policy https://www.waterfoot.lancs.sch.uk/lancs/primary/waterfoot/arenas/websitecontent/web/School%20Lockdown%20Plan%20v4.0%20November%202024-69477_20250902095623807.pdf
· Emergency Contingency Plans: Written procedures are in place for major incidents, including overnight evacuations, ensuring swift and safe responses to emergencies.
Safeguarding Culture
· Open and Positive Safeguarding Culture: We foster an environment where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, with vigilance and transparency in all safeguarding practises.
· Regular Training: Staff receive frequent and thorough safeguarding training to understand their roles, responsibilities, and the systems in place.
· Child Protection Arrangements: Our policies identify pupils who may need early help or are at risk of harm, with timely referrals to appropriate agencies when necessary.
· Single Central Record (SCR): We maintain an up-to-date SCR documenting all pre-appointment checks for staff, including identity, DBS, barred list, qualifications, right to work, and management position checks.
· Pupil Voice: Pupils are encouraged to express their views freely, and their feedback is integral to our safeguarding review processes.
· Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and a Deputy DSLs available in School and Afterschool club: Staff have received specific training to deal with Child Protection issues. Please see the school's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy for further information.
