Safeguarding
Safeguarding at Cheviot Primary School
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This means that we have a Safeguarding Child Protection Policy and procedures in place, which we refer to in our prospectus. All staff (including supply staff, volunteers and governors) must ensure that they are aware of these procedures. Parents and carers are welcome to read the Policy on request.
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.
Our Designated Person(s) are:
Lee Gallon (Lead)
Stefanie Sands
Jennie Waugh
Jane Thompson
Jessica Mullin
If you are concerned about a child’s welfare, please record your concern, and any observations or conversation heard, and report to one of the Designated Persons as soon as possible the same day. Do NOT conduct your own investigation.
If your concerns relate to the actions or behaviour of a member of staff (which could suggest that s/he is unsuitable to work with children) then you should report this to one of the Designated Persons in confidence, who will refer the matter to the Headteacher (or the Chair of Governors if the concern relates to the Headteacher)– who will consider what action to take.
e-Safety
At Cheviot Primary School, we recognise that e-safety is a crucial part of keeping children safe in today’s digital world. We are committed to ensuring that all pupils understand the potential risks and benefits of using technology and the internet. Protecting children from harmful and inappropriate online content, interactions, and behaviours is a priority, and we work closely with families to foster a safe and supportive environment both at school and at home.
Our approach to e-safety education is comprehensive and embedded throughout the school curriculum. Pupils learn about online safety not only during dedicated IT lessons but also as an integral part of our PSHE programme, following the nationally recognised SCARF curriculum. This ensures that children receive consistent, age-appropriate messages about how to stay safe online. For example, in Years 4 and 5, pupils explore the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to understand its impact and risks. Cyberbullying is addressed in Key Stage 2, specifically in Years 3, 5, and 6, equipping pupils with strategies to recognise and respond to harmful behaviour online.
As pupils progress through the school, they deepen their understanding of important digital safety concepts. Year 6 children learn about deepfakes and how to critically evaluate digital media, while Years 5 and 6 focus on the significance of digital footprints and the long-term effects of their online actions. Additionally, pupils in Years 3, 4, and 5 are taught to identify and question fake news, helping them develop critical thinking skills in a digital age. Internet safety is a continuous theme from Reception through to Year 6, ensuring that every child gains the knowledge and confidence to navigate the online world safely.
Prevent
The Prevention of Radicalisation and Extremism
Cheviot Primary School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. As a school we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability.
On 1 July 2015, the Prevent Duty (section 26) of The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 came into force. This duty places the responsibility on local authorities to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
- Radicalisation is defined as the act or process of making a person more radical or favouring of extreme or fundamental changes in political, economic or social conditions, institutions or habits of the mind
- Extremism is defined as the holding of extreme political or religious views
What is the Prevent Strategy?
The Prevent Strategy is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
The Prevent Strategy:
- responds to the ideological challenge we face from terrorism and aspects of extremism, and the threat we face from those who promote these views
- provides practical help to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support
- works with a wide range of sectors (including education, criminal justice, faith, charities, online and health)
The new Prevent Duty, the Department for Education’s SMSC requirements, British Values Guidance and Ofsted’s inspection criteria all require schools to ensure students are aware of risks associated with extremism. We endeavour to do this through our broad and balanced curriculum.