Safeguarding

The Designated Safeguarding Lead at St Nicholas CE First School is Miss J Parker, the Head Teacher. In her absence any information should be passed on to the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads, Mrs S Robb, and/or Mr R Gough and/or Mrs Walton the Assistant Head Teachers.

Click here to see a larger view of our safeguarding poster.

Click here for the 2025 – 2026 Safeguarding Policy

We care for each individual child as though he/she is our own child. We want the child to be loved and cared for, to grow in self-confidence and self-discipline and also to develop a sense of responsibility. We actively encourage parents to be partners with the school in the education of the children.

Before your child starts school, parents are invited to informal meetings to get to know the school, the teachers and what the children will be learning. Parents and children come to school to learn the routine and enjoy a school dinner (or sandwiches).

After a short time in school, parents are invited to talk to their child’s teacher about how their child is settling in and what progress has been achieved. The Assessment Profile of the pupil begins at this meeting and is developed throughout the child’s time in school.

At St Nicholas children are rewarded and encouraged both privately and publicly for their efforts in all areas of school life. Assemblies and Awards Presentations are arranged to celebrate achievements.

A variety of programmes of work are used in school to teach children how to keep safe and show positive and practical ways of dealing with potentially dangerous situations and cover the following areas:

• Road Safety
• Water Safety
• Personal Safety
• When and how to say ‘NO’
• E Safety – Parent Resource
• Anti-Bullying
• Stranger Danger
• NSPCC Pants

On entering school your child is met at the door by a member of staff. They are fully supervised during the day and accompanied by their teacher to the playground at the end of the school day. When your child is in school, the first point of contact is the class teacher. Your child’s teacher can be seen at the end of the school day or at a mutually convenient time arranged through the school office.

The school works closely with a range of agencies to safeguard all children.   If parents wish to make a referral to First Response in relation to any concerns they have about a child’s welfare they can do so click here for more information about this process.

The Prevent Duty

‘Prevent’ is part of a Government strategy which aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.  From 1 July 2015, schools and colleges have a statutory duty under the ‘Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015’ to have ‘due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’.  Preventing terrorism also means challenging extremist views and intervening to stop people moving from extremist ideas into terrorism. Schools and colleges play an important part in allowing children and young people a safe space to explore their concerns and ideas, and to challenge prejudicial, discriminatory or extremist views.  Schools must also ensure that they are promoting fundamental British values within their ethos and curriculum.

Children being drawn into extremism is a safeguarding issue which can also be a ‘child protection’ issue.  This matter therefore should be specifically referenced within the school’s main child protection policy, and Governors may wish to adopt a more detailed policy so that governors, staff, parents and pupils have a good understanding of the school philosophy, the duties of the school and when the designated safeguarding lead will refer to children’s social care or the police Prevent team.  This may also lead to a referral to the multi-agency Channel meeting convened be the local authority.

Channel is a key element of the Prevent Strategy. It is a multi-agency approach to protect people at risk of radicalisation.   If any parents have concerns about any individual being radicalised, you should speak to the Prevent Officers.  This can be done anonymously and confidentially by using the following contacts 01785232054,  0800 789321 or prevent@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk

Staffordshire Children’s Advice and Support (SCAS)

Report a concern

Phone: 0300 111 8007 and select option 1.

Ideally we would want to receive all enquiries by telephone so that we can gather all necessary information in a timely manner and make sure that parental agreement has been obtained from those with parental responsibility unless this places an adult or child at risk of harm.

If you cannot reach us by phone, please make your enquiry online.

For your information before making your enquiry you may wish to check the procedures online website for a glossary of relevant terminology.

Opening times

• Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Useful Links for Our Families

(Click the image to open the relevant website)