Safeguarding

Kettlethorpe High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Kettlethorpe High School recognises our statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children as stipulated in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. We are committed to ensuring that everyone who works for us understands their safeguarding responsibilities and keeps their knowledge up to date and every assurance will be given that all staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children within school.

As a school we encourage parents and children to talk freely about any concerns or worries which may affect educational progress. It is important to us that parents and pupils see the school as a safe place.

Pupils will be taken seriously if they seek help from a member of staff. Pupils may be referred for additional bespoke support from external agencies who work closely with the school. The school will endeavor to work in partnership with parents at all times to inform them of additional support required or accessed for their child.  However, staff cannot guarantee to consult parents first, or to keep children’s concerns confidential, if a referral must be made to agencies in order to safeguard the child’s welfare.

If you have any concerns relating to any pupils in our school please contact one of the following designated staff:

Safer Recruitment Training

NAME ROLE DATE COMPLETED
Mr T Griffiths Headteacher 14/03/2022
Mrs J Wray Deputy Headteacher 14/03/2022
Mr G Lickiss Deputy Headteacher 29/04/2023
Mrs M Mumby Assistant Headteacher & DSL 14/03/2022
Mrs L Thompson Assistant Headteacher 24/04/2023
Miss S Thompson HR Manager 11/03/2022
Mrs I Colley SLT Strategic Advisor 11/10/2023

Safeguarding documents and links

Our Safeguarding policy, Anti-Bullying policy and Online Safety policy can be found on our Policies page. For more information or additional support the following organisations and resources are notable points of reference:

> Childline – Need to talk? Contact ChildLine anytime – calls are free and confidential. Phone 0800 1111 or have an online chat with a counsellor;

> NSPCC – the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is a child protection charity ;

> thinkuknow – guide to internet safety and safe surfing for young people;

> Escayp – Emotional Support for Children and Young People (ESCAYP) offers a supportive environment for young people;

> Brook – Brook provides free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing services for young people;

> CalmHarm – – A free app providing activities to help manage the urge to self-harm;

CEOPCEOP button  Provides help and advice on cyberbullying, the Centre maintains a website for young people and parents about staying safe online. The CEOP Safety Centre has clear information and advice on what can be reported to the National Crime Agency, the reporting process and what will happen if you do decide to make a report.

> WF I Can is Wakefield’s own wellbeing website for young people. It is full of information and advice as well as self-help tips that can increase confidence and resilience.

> our wellbeing resources aimed at parents/carers to help them keep their children safe;

> Keeping children safe in education statutory guidance from Department for Education.

Internet Safety

Using the internet, mobile phones and games consoles are now an everyday part of young people’s lives. However, there are risks for children and you as parents need to know how to protect your children effectively. Here are some useful tips:

Be involved in your child’s online life. Young people use the internet to socialise and grow and, just as you guide and support them offline, you should be there for them online too. Talk to them about what they’re doing, if they know you understand they are more likely to approach you if they need support.

Set boundaries in the online world just as you would in the real world. Think about what they might see, what they share, who they talk to and how long they spend online. It is important to continue to discuss boundaries so that they evolve as your child’s use of technology does.

Consider the use of parental controls on devices that link to the internet, such as the TV, laptops, computers, games consoles and mobile phones. Parental controls are not just about locking and blocking, they are a tool to help you set appropriate boundaries as your child grows and develops. They are not the answer to your child’s online safety, but they are a good start and are not as difficult to install as you might think. Find your service provider and learn how to set your controls.

Emphasise that not everyone is who they say they are. Make sure your child knows never to meet up with someone they only know online. People might not always be who they say they are. Make sure your child understands that they should never meet up with anyone they only know online without taking a trusted adult with them.

Know what to do if something goes wrong. You want to help your child when they need it therefore it is important to know when and how to report any problem. What tools are there to help me keep my child safe?

The school uses Smoothwall monitoring and filtering system to alert staff of any activity which is deemed inappropriate/unsafe for pupils, staff also need to be aware that use of personal devices on the schools Wi-Fi will also trigger these alerts.   

Factsheets:

> Online Safety Policy – our policy at Kettlethorpe High School.

> Digital safety during Covid-19advice on safeguarding from harmful influences online.

> Worried about inappropriate online content?  – This leaflet explains the risks of online content and how to protect children.

> Worried your child has shared too much online?  – This leaflet explains the risk of oversharing online and how to take control.

> Online safety tips for parents of 11-13 year olds and Online safety tips for parents of 14+ year oldsAdvice from Internet Matters team

> Reporting to CEOPhow to report any concerns about grooming and sexual abuse directly to the National Crime Agency. 

(Cyber)bullying

The department for Education (DfE) defines bullying as: “behavior by an individual or group, usually repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group, either physically or emotionally.”
Cyberbullying can seem to be anonymous and can therefore result in a greater feeling of isolation and helplessness for the victim.

If you have any concerns about bullying or cyberbullying, please speak to your child’s Year Manager as soon as possible or make a referral using our online form. There is a wide range of resources available for parents:

> Department for Education advice for parents – Bullying & Cyberbullying 

> NSPCC: Bullying – Signs, Indicators and Effects

> Anti-Bullying Alliance interactive information tool for parents

> Building confidence after online bullying

Violence

In light of the Ofsted review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges, Kettlethorpe High School intends to review the work and procedures currently in place to safeguard our pupils. We intend to achieve a culture of zero-tolerance, which is preventative rather than reactionary and supports our pupils in their development to recognise signs and behaviours which may accumulate into sexual violence.

We plan to foster an environment which equips our pupils with the confidence to report any sexual assault or harassment, and that that pupil feels safe throughout any investigation.