Safeguarding

Latimer Safeguarding Leads

Our pupils’ safety and wellbeing is absolutely central to life at Latimer. We create a safe environment so that our pupils thrive, while our curriculum equips them with the tools they need to protect themselves into their future. Everybody at Latimer is responsible for the safeguarding and wellbeing of our young people. Safeguarding underpins the culture of the school and as a result our children feel safe and are able to learn.

A full programme of child protection training is delivered to all staff on a 3-year basis. In addition, there is staff refresher training each year and when new staff join Latimer. Latimer follows Leicestershire County Councils lead in protecting our children and are proud to hold the Leicestershire E-Safety Award, which recognises our commitment to protecting our children online.

Our designated safeguarding governor is Carole Hunt who brings a significant level of expertise to the role.

‘Everyone’s Welcome’, British Values and keeping safe and happy are central themes to our school assemblies which are delivered each week. Children are asked to choose 3 safe people, who they can go to with their concerns and we regularly remind them of this. All classes also have access to a worry box where they can share their concerns in writing. Children report that they feel safe and happy at Latimer.

Our Simple Truths remind children how to behave, however if there are concerns that unwanted behaviours or bullying is taking place we have a clear procedure for staff to follow to ensure any issues are thoroughly investigated and dealt with promptly. We are proud that our children tell us that if poor behaviour does occur that we deal with it quickly and they feel safe in school.

Our curriculum is designed to promote well-being and pupil welfare. Taking responsibility and safeguarding ourselves is central to our learning. Our PSHE curriculum is extensive and covers a wide range of risks that the children may encounter now and in their future. We work with Leicestershire Police, Fire and Rescue services and the NSPCC to deliver and reinforce key messages. The children receive regular assemblies on issues such as stranger danger, road safety and firework and Halloween safety. This is then reinforced by visits from our emergency services and in year 6 all children attend the warning zone.

Safeguarding in the Curriculum

Please click on the following link to find out more about how our school curriculum has been developed to support pupils in learning about how to stay safe:

Safeguarding In The Curriculum

Operation Encompass

Latimer Primary School is part of the national Operation Encompass Scheme which aims to support children who are victims of or witness to domestic violence. All of our safeguarding leads are trained in Operation Encompass Procedures and strategies to support children.

Two of our  safeguarding leads have completed Parental Conflict training in order to support families to reduce conflict in the home and understand the impact on young people.

NSPCC Pants Rule

NSPCC – The Pants Rule

As a school, we promote the NSPCC Pants rule- the campaign that aims to raise awareness of the importance of talking to children about keeping safe from sexual abuse. To support our children to feel safe we teach our children the importance of the ‘Pants Rule’.

‘The Pants Rule’ teaches children that:   

  • their body belongs to them
  • they have a right to say no, and
  • they should always tell an adult, or one of their three safe people, if they’re upset or worried.

The ‘pants rule’ is taught directly in the classroom and also delivered by an assembly each year. We regularly remind children of the pants rule in classes when it is appropriate.

You may find the following booklet from the NSPCC, Simple Conversations To Keep Your Child Safe From Abuse useful when speaking to your child. This guide for Parents and Carers is to help you feel confident when talking to your children about staying safe. It also explains ‘The Pants Rule’ in detail.

We know talking to your child about their body and staying safe can seem difficult, but it doesn’t have to be scary. ‘Talk PANTS’ is a simple way that parents can help keep children safe from abuse.

 

Further Safeguarding Information

For more information about safeguarding, or if you have any concerns regarding safeguarding, please call or email our school office and request to speak to a Safeguarding Lead. 

Please note that outside of school hours any emails or answerphone messages regarding the safeguarding of pupils may not be accessed by staff. If you have concerns for the immediate safety of a child please contact the police or Leicestershire Children’s Services on 01162 3050005.  

Leicestershire County Council – Report abuse or neglect of a child