Safeguarding and Promoting the Well-being of Children
Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all students regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic background. The school provides a caring, positive safe and stimulating environment that promotes spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
We recognise that some children may be especially vulnerable to abuse and that children who are abused or neglected may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth and to view the world in a positive way. The diagram below indicates what we consider to be essential to our work in this area.
We recognise that all staff have a full and active part to play in protecting our students from harm, and that the child or young person’s welfare is our paramount concern. We ensure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate training to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people. All necessary steps are taken to prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals.
Appropriate action is always taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse, and support is provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern. Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child or young person’s welfare. We will ensure that concerns about our students are discussed with their parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the student’s welfare. Confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored.
If you are concerned about a student’s welfare, please contact one of schools safeguarding leads:
Deputy headteacher: James Johnstone (jlj@brgs.org.uk) from September 2021
Assistant headteacher: David Morriss (dfm@brgs.org.uk)
School based nurse: Susan Baines (smb@brgs.org.uk)
Issues relating to safeguarding, staying safe and being emotionally and mentally resilient are promoted throughout school through taught PSHCE lessons, our assembly programme and tutorial sessions. Students are supported via their form tutor, a head of year and a pastoral lead (all qualified teachers). Additionally school employs a full time children’s nurse, non-teaching pastoral support staff and a qualified counsellor. School’s SENDCO also links into our support structure to ensure students with SEN are fully cared for such that their difficulties are not a barrier to their development and progress.
Our policies section contains links to a series of related policies: Anti-bullying; Attendance; Behaviour; Confidentiality & Information Sharing; E-safety; Medical Needs; Peer on Peer Abuse; Safeguarding & Child Protection; Self Harm; Single Equality; Special Educational Needs; Whistleblowing. Students can also access our safeguarding handout there.
Documents available for download:
Keeping Children Safe in Education
Guidance for Safer Working Practices
Key websites providing advice and guidance:
