Ensuring a strong culture of safeguarding is a key priority within our school. We achieve this through clear systems, effective communication, and a shared commitment across our entire community.
Leadership and Culture
Our leaders actively promote a culture of vigilance. They consistently communicate the importance of safeguarding, ensuring it remains a central focus for all staff, pupils, and stakeholders.
Reporting and Responding to Concerns
We have robust systems in place to ensure that safeguarding concerns can be reported immediately.
- The school uses the CPOMS recording system, a secure digital platform that allows staff and volunteers to log concerns quickly and easily.
- All concerns are acted upon promptly, with responses that are timely and effective.
Supporting Pupils
We place a strong emphasis on helping pupils feel safe and supported.
- Pupils are taught to understand what is unacceptable behaviour and how to report concerns, including those that may not directly involve them.
- They feel safe in school and are confident in seeking help when needed.
Governance and Oversight
Our Safeguarding Governor plays an important role in supporting staff and safeguarding leads.
- They ensure that safer recruitment procedures are consistently followed.
- They provide challenge and support to maintain high safeguarding standards.
Working with Parents and Carers
We work closely with parents and carers to promote safeguarding.
- We ensure they understand what safeguarding is and how to report any concerns.
- We maintain open communication, reassuring parents that concerns will always be listened to and handled confidentially.
Continual Professional Development
Ongoing training ensures all staff remain knowledgeable and vigilant.
- All staff and governors complete Flick safeguarding training each September.
- Safeguarding leads attend termly DSL network meetings at Trust level.
- Regular discussions in staff meetings use practical examples to keep safeguarding at the forefront of practice.
- Staff are trained to recognise risks and identify potential signs of harm or abuse.
Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to equip pupils with the knowledge and skills to stay safe.
- Pupils learn how to recognise and respond to risks to their wellbeing, such as online safety and healthy relationships.
- A clear and structured Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) programme supports this learning.
Environment
We ensure that our school environment supports safeguarding in every sense.
- Physical spaces are designed with pupil safety in mind.
- A positive culture is promoted, including a zero-tolerance approach to discriminatory language and behaviour.
Safeguarding Contextual Information for Holy Trinity
Community Centre Access
Risk:
Access to the school grounds via the Church Community Centre, including weekend use for church car parking and social gatherings during evenings and weekends.
Mitigation:
- A joint risk assessment is in place with the Community Centre and church.
- There is no access to the patio area during school hours.
- The Community Centre front door remains locked when in use, preventing access by the general public.
- Midday Supervisors (MSAs) and staff are trained to remain vigilant.
- The safeguarding curriculum reinforces awareness among pupils.
- The Community Centre Site Manager regularly checks for hazards such as broken glass or bottles.
- The School Site Manager carries out follow-up checks.
Proximity to Sconce Park
Risk:
Being adjacent to Sconce Park presents risks including drug use, smoking near the premises, unknown individuals near the school boundary, drone activity, and items potentially being thrown over the fence.
Mitigation:
- Safeguarding curriculum includes stranger awareness.
- Strong links are maintained with local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
- MSAs are trained and maintain high levels of vigilance.
- Pupils are directed to play away from the perimeter fence.
- The Site Manager and staff carry out visual inspections prior to outdoor use.
School Field Bordering Residential Gardens
Risk:
The school field backs onto residential properties, presenting similar safeguarding concerns to those identified with Sconce Park.
Mitigation:
- Measures consistent with those outlined above are applied, including vigilance, supervision, and site checks.
Limited Pedestrian Access
Risk:
There is no dedicated pedestrian access to the school.
Mitigation:
- A clearly marked walkway is provided through the church car park.
- Alternative access is available via Sconce Car Park.
- The safeguarding curriculum includes stranger awareness.
- School gates are staffed at the beginning and end of the school day.
- The Site Manager supports supervision by acting as a car park attendant.
Anti-Social Behaviour in the Local Area
Risk:
Newark Police have identified anti-social behaviour as a key concern locally. This may increase the risk of pupils becoming involved or feeling unsafe outside of school. Key locations include the town centre, Lidl car park, Sustrans cycle track, Blue/Barratt’s Lake, and the disused Lilley and Stone School site (including asbestos risks). There has also been concern about inappropriate messaging within a Newark-wide Year 5 WhatsApp group.
Mitigation:
- The PSHE curriculum addresses topics such as peer pressure, gangs, and personal safety.
- The Holy Trinity Way and school virtues promote positive behaviour and character education.
- Regular visits from PCSOs strengthen awareness and community links.
- Workshops during Healthy Week further reinforce these messages.
Areas Identified by Pupils as Feeling Less Safe
Risk:
Pupils have identified several local areas where they feel less safe, including:
- Cleveland Square Park
- The Courts
- Cherry Holt Park
- Sconce Park (particularly remote areas and under the bridge)
- Sconce Park river and bridge
- Sherwood Avenue skate park
Mitigation:
- PSHE lessons include discussions about local safety.
- The curriculum teaches pupils how to assess and manage risk in the community.
- Stranger awareness and e-safety education are reinforced.
- Pupils are taught appropriate mobile phone use.
- Educational visits are supported by the EVC policy.
Water Safety (River Trent at Farndon)
Risk:
Swimming in the River Trent presents a significant safety concern.
Mitigation:
- Water safety is taught through the PSHE curriculum.
- Pupils receive water safety talks from the RNLI.
- Workshops are delivered during Healthy Week.
- The school works with the Canal and River Trust to support learning.
County Lines
Risk:
Potential exposure to county lines activity and related risks, including exploitation and gang involvement.
Mitigation:
- Addressed through the PSHE curriculum.
- Linked to learning about anti-social behaviour, peer pressure, and personal safety.
E-Safety
Risk:
Online safety risks, including exposure to inappropriate content or communication.
Mitigation:
- A comprehensive e-safety curriculum is in place.
- Filtering and monitoring systems are used to protect pupils online.
- Monthly online safety newsletters are shared with parents.
- PSHE lessons reinforce safe and responsible online behaviour.
