Ponteland Community Primary School is fully committed to safeguarding the well-being of our children. Safeguarding encompasses creating a secure and nurturing environment that ensures the happiness, health, and safety of our children. To achieve this, we have implemented robust policies, processes, and training for all staff members.

Our commitment to safeguarding includes:

  1. Safe Environments: We maintain safe environments for children and young people through rigorous safeguarding practices, ensuring their physical and emotional well-being.
  2. Risk Assessment: We ensure that all adults working in the school, including volunteers, undergo thorough checks to ensure they do not pose any risk to children.
  3. Training and Awareness: Our staff members receive regular training to ensure they are equipped to respond to concerns and are up-to-date with safeguarding policies and practices.
  4. Education on Staying Safe: We provide comprehensive education to children and young people on how to stay safe, empowering them with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect themselves.
  5. Open Communication: We foster an environment where children feel confident to approach any member of staff if they have worries or problems, maintaining an open line of communication to address their concerns.

Designated Safeguarding Leads at PCPS:

  • Mr. C Johnson, Headteacher
  • Mrs. E Blackburn, Deputy Head Teacher
  • Mr. A Burgess, Deputy Head Teacher

Child Protection:

If the school has reason to be concerned about a child potentially experiencing ill-treatment, neglect, or other forms of abuse, the Designated Safeguarding Lead may report the concern to Children’s Services and other relevant agencies. It is important to note that when such a report is made, it does not automatically accuse parents of abuse, but rather seeks further investigation to assess whether the child is at risk.

Designated Safeguarding Governor: Paul Naughton

The Curriculum:

Our curriculum provides a secure and nurturing environment where children feel safe, and their moral and cultural development is enriched through the comprehensive delivery of our whole-school curriculum, collaboration with external agencies, charities, and engagement with the local community.

Recruitment:

We have strict procedures in place for recruitment, ensuring that all staff and volunteers undergo thorough checks, including DBS checks, references, ID verification, and employment history. We maintain a Single Central Record of this information, which is regularly monitored. Visitors and volunteers undergo similar checks before being granted unsupervised access to our children. All adults in the school wear ID badges.

Safeguarding Information for Visitors and Volunteers is available upon request.

Reporting Abuse:

If you suspect that a child is being harmed due to abuse or neglect, it is essential that you do not keep these concerns to yourself. Ensuring the safety of children is everyone’s responsibility.

If you live in Northumberland, you can seek advice or make a referral by contacting the following numbers:

  • During office hours: Children’s Social Services Initial Contact Point at 01670 536400 (Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am – 5 pm; Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm)
  • Outside office hours: Social Services Emergency Duty Team at 0345 6005252

In case of immediate risk of harm, contact the police by dialing 999.

For general inquiries, please contact Children’s Specialist Services at 01670 536400.

If you live in Newcastle, you can seek advice or make a referral by contacting the following numbers:

  • During office hours: Children’s Social Services Initial Response Team at 0191 2772500 (Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am – 5 pm; Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm)
  • Outside office hours: Social Services Emergency Duty Team at 0191 2787878