Safeguarding at Ramsden Hall Academy
At Ramsden Hall Academy, the safeguarding and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where every young person is valued, listened to and protected from harm.
All staff, governors, volunteers and visitors share responsibility for safeguarding our students and promoting their welfare. We operate robust safeguarding procedures and follow statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and local safeguarding arrangements.
All staff and volunteers are subject to safer recruitment procedures, including appropriate references, employment checks and enhanced DBS checks, as applicable to their role.
If you have a concern about the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a child or young person at Ramsden Hall Academy, please contact our Safeguarding Team:
Email: safeguarding@ramsdenhall.org.uk
Our Safeguarding Team
- Mr Antony Clements – Headteacher
- Mrs Daniella Rose – Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
- Ms Tara Cordrey – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
- Mr Andy Stanford – Deputy Headteacher
- Mr Tony Lane – Assistant Headteacher
- Mr Adam Robbins – Assistant Headteacher
- Mrs Claire Parker – Outreach Designated Safeguarding Lead
Our Safeguarding Team works closely with families, education professionals and external agencies to ensure that concerns are identified, responded to and followed up appropriately.
Recognising Safeguarding Concerns
Safeguarding concerns can take many forms. A young person may not always directly tell an adult that something is wrong, and changes in behaviour or presentation may sometimes indicate that they need help.
Concerns may include, but are not limited to:
- Changes in behaviour, mood or emotional wellbeing
- Self-harm or thoughts of suicide
- Signs of abuse or neglect
- Bullying or discriminatory behaviour
- Harmful or sexualised behaviour
- Online safety concerns
- Child exploitation or grooming
- Concerns relating to drugs, alcohol or other risky behaviour
- Significant changes in appearance, hygiene or weight
- Concerns raised by another child or young person
- Anything that causes an adult to be concerned about a child's safety or welfare
Every concern is taken seriously. We encourage children and young people to speak to a trusted adult if something is worrying them, and we work hard to ensure that their voice is heard.
If a Child or Young Person Tells You Something
If a child or young person shares a safeguarding concern with you:
- Listen calmly and take what they say seriously.
- Allow them to speak in their own words.
- Reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling someone.
- Do not promise to keep information secret.
- Avoid asking leading or unnecessary questions.
- Do not investigate the concern yourself.
- Report the concern to a member of the Safeguarding Team as soon as possible.
Our safeguarding staff will assess the information and take appropriate action, including contacting parents/carers or external agencies where necessary.
Online Safety
We recognise that children and young people face a range of risks online. These can include exposure to inappropriate or harmful content, online bullying, exploitation, grooming, harmful sexual behaviour and contact with unsafe individuals.
Online safety is therefore an important part of our safeguarding provision. We provide education and support to help students develop the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe online.
We also use filtering and monitoring systems to help identify and respond to potential online safeguarding concerns.
Parents and carers are encouraged to maintain appropriate parental controls on devices and to talk regularly with their children about their online experiences.
CEOP – Child Exploitation and Online Protection
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) command is part of the National Crime Agency and works to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation online.
If you are concerned about online sexual abuse or exploitation, you can find advice and make a report through the CEOP Safety Centre.
Allegations or Concerns About Staff
We take all allegations and concerns regarding the conduct of adults working with children extremely seriously.
If you have a concern about the conduct of a member of staff or volunteer, this should be reported immediately to the Headteacher.
If the concern relates to the Headteacher, it should be reported to the Chief Executive Officer of the Trust.
Where an allegation meets the relevant threshold, it will be referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). The LADO provides advice and oversees the management of allegations against adults who work with children.
NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line
If you have concerns about the way safeguarding or child protection concerns are being handled within the school and feel unable to raise your concern through the school's usual procedures, you can contact the NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line.
The service provides confidential advice and support to education staff and other professionals who have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of children.
NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line
Anti-Racism and Inclusion
Racism, discrimination and prejudice are not tolerated at Ramsden Hall Academy.
We are committed to creating an environment where every student feels safe, respected and included. Any concerns relating to racism or discriminatory behaviour are taken seriously and responded to appropriately.
Students are encouraged to speak to a trusted adult if they experience or witness racism, discrimination, bullying or behaviour that makes them feel unsafe.
Bullying and Harmful Behaviour
We recognise that our students may have experienced difficulties in previous educational or social settings and may require additional support to develop positive relationships and manage conflict.
Bullying, intimidation, harassment and harmful behaviour are not accepted at Ramsden Hall Academy. Where concerns arise, we respond proportionately and work with students to understand the behaviour, address underlying needs, repair relationships and keep all students safe.
Our approach includes:
- Promoting respectful and positive relationships
- Teaching students about empathy, boundaries, consent and appropriate behaviour
- Providing opportunities for students to reflect on their actions and understand their impact on others
- Providing appropriate support to students who have experienced harmful behaviour
- Working with parents and carers where appropriate
- Working with external agencies when necessary
- Maintaining appropriate supervision and risk management
- Taking proportionate action where behaviour places others at risk
Our approach is underpinned by our school values of being Respectful, Resilient, able to Reflect and able to Repair.
Working Together to Keep Children Safe
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We work closely with parents and carers, social care, health services, the police and other partner agencies where appropriate to promote the safety and wellbeing of our students.
If you have a safeguarding concern, please do not wait for the concern to become more serious before sharing it. Contact our Safeguarding Team so that we can consider the information and take appropriate action.
Safeguarding email: safeguarding@ramsdenhall.org.uk
