Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is of paramount importance and is everyone’s responsibility.

It is the responsibility of every member of staff, volunteer and regular visitor to our school to ensure that they carry out the requirements of our Safeguarding and Child Protection policy and, at all times, work in a way that will safeguard and promote the welfare of all of the pupils at this school. This includes the responsibility to provide a safe environment in which children can learn. 

We recognise that staff at our school play a particularly important role as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children to prevent concerns from escalating. All staff are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned. When concerned about the welfare of a child, staff members must always act in the best interests of the child.

Our school will establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, are listened to and are safe.  Children will be able to talk freely to any member of staff at our school if they are worried or concerned about something.

All staff and regular visitors will, through training and induction, know how to recognise indicators of concern, how to respond to a disclosure from a child and how to record and report this information. We will not make promises to any child and we will not keep secrets.  Every child will know what the adult will have to do with any information they have chosen to disclose.

Throughout our curriculum we will provide activities and opportunities for children to develop the skills they need to identify risks and stay safe.  This will also be extended to include material that will encourage our children to develop essential life skills.

At all times we will work in partnership and endeavour to establish effective working relationships with parents, carers and colleagues from other agencies in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and local safeguarding partners’ procedures.  Our full Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be found below.

Our Approach to Behaviour

At Byker Primary the health, safety, and well-being of our students, staff, and visitors are paramount. We are dedicated to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment, adhering to the highest health and safety standards, and implementing effective risk management systems.

The Prevent Duty and Preventing Radicalisation

The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty on specified authorities, including local authorities and childcare, education and other children’s services providers, in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism (“the Prevent duty”). Young people can be exposed to extremist influences or prejudiced views, in particular those via the internet and other social media. Schools can help to protect children from extremist and violent views in the same ways that they help to safeguard children.

The Prevent strategy aims to protect vulnerable people from being drawn into terrorism. While it remains rare for children and young people to become involved in terrorist activity, young people from an early age can be exposed to terrorist & extremist influences or prejudiced views. We recognise that as with other forms of safeguarding strategies, early intervention is always preferable. Our school is committed to working with other local partners, families and communities, and we will play a key role in ensuring young people and their communities are safe from the threat of terrorism.

We also recognise that our School has a duty of care to our pupils and staff which includes safeguarding them from the risk of being drawn into terrorism. Being drawn into terrorism includes not just violent extremism but also non-violent extremism, which can create an atmosphere conducive to terrorism and can popularise views which terrorists exploit. Prevent can work within both violent and non-violent extremism arenas and can include topics such as hate crime, racism, bullying, online safety and extreme political views.

 Our Health and Safety Commitment

We are committed to ensuring every student can thrive in a safe and secure environment. Our Health and Safety Policy is aligned with rigorous standards and UK safety legislation. This policy is reviewed regularly to address emerging safety needs and to reflect best practices in educational environments.

 Key Systems and Procedures

1. Risk Assessment Management  

   – Regular, comprehensive risk assessments are conducted across all areas of the school, identifying potential hazards and implementing preventive measures. Staff receive training on risk identification and management to maintain safe conditions throughout the school.

2. Fire Safety  

   – We conduct routine fire drills and regularly test our alarm systems. Clear evacuation procedures are in place, and both staff and students are familiar with these protocols, ensuring a prompt and orderly response in an emergency.

3. Accident and Incident Reporting

   – Using systems such as CPOMS, we document and monitor all accidents and incidents. This enables us to assess risks accurately, address emerging trends, and enhance preventive strategies.

4. First Aid  

   – Trained first aid personnel are available on-site to assist in cases of illness or injury. First aid stations are well-stocked and regularly maintained.

    5. Visitor Management  

   – All visitors sign in at the main reception and are issued with visible identification. This protocol helps us manage on-site security, ensuring a safe environment for our school community.

6. Hygiene and Infection Control  

   – Adherence to rigorous hygiene practices, regular cleaning schedules, hand sanitising stations, and infection control protocols are integral to our approach, promoting a healthy school environment for all.

 Health and Safety Policy

Our Health and Safety Policy provides a detailed framework for ensuring safety and security across the school. This policy includes guidelines for risk assessments, emergency response protocols, and staff training requirements. It serves as a comprehensive reference for staff, students, and parents, ensuring all parties are informed of their role in supporting school safety.

 Training and Awareness

Staff at Byker primary undergo regular health and safety training to ensure they are knowledgeable and prepared to implement safety protocols. This training encompasses risk assessment, fire safety, first aid, and other essential safety topics, equipping staff to maintain a safe school environment.