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Safeguarding at Penair School

If you are concerned about any safeguarding matters in school please contact either of the Designated Safeguarding Lead – Mrs Hosking or the Headteacher. 

Penair School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of all our students. We expect all staff, governors, parents and volunteers to share this commitment, as safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility. 

Penair School takes its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children seriously. All staff and Governors believe that our school should provide a safe, caring, positive and stimulating environment that promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual child. All staff receive annual training in child protection and safeguarding, and are aware of the procedures for passing on welfare concerns within the school (and out of school in an emergency) due to the annually updated Child protection and Safeguarding policy. 

We work closely together to ensure there are appropriate arrangements within our school, to identify, assess and support any child who is at risk.  The Pastoral team recognise that all staff and Governors have a full and active part to play in protecting our pupils and that every child’s welfare is our paramount concern. All members of staff are able to report safeguarding concerns immediately via ©My Concern and these are triaged frequently throughout the day by the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Student Welfare Officers. Each Year group is supported by a Personal Development Leader and a Student Welfare Officer. 

Penair School works closely with a range of external agencies in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Partnership and we pride ourselves on our positive working relationships. The following link relates to safeguarding awareness and key contacts within Cornwall. 

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Safeguarding Children Partnership – Home page (ciossafeguarding.org.uk)

Peer on peer Sexual abuse and harassment

Penair school’s approach

In response to Ofsted’s Review of Sexual abuse in schools and colleges (June 2021) Penair School acknowledges that unfortunately this type of abuse happens in our school. Penair has engaged with students to discuss and plan our response to this abuse in school.

The Equality Action Group is a student body that is open to all students to attend they are supported by a member of staff to discuss concerns and suggest actions for change. The group have called themselves ‘Understand Together’ and they are working across all year groups to raise awareness against abuse and harassment.  If you would like to find out more about this group please contact Mrs Nicola Hosking (DSL) who will connect you with the staff leader.

Students have access to a QR code at multiple points around the school, including on all school computer desktops where they can report incidents of peer on peer sexual abuse and harassment.  Following feedback from the Equality Action Group the purpose of the reporting form is being extended to include all types of abuse, harassment and hate. These are not anonymous forms, as we want to be able to work with the person who has reported the abuse and support them as they challenge any inappropriate behaviour.

Penair School is committed to challenging and addressing abuse, harassment as well as promoting equality and diversity in our school community.  In Autumn 2021 Penair School commissioned an Equality and Diversity audit from Cornwall County Council.  The resulting report will inform new actions in our School Improvement plan.

The Prevent Duty 

What Is The Prevent Strategy? 

Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes. 

The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including the extreme right wing, violent Islamist groups and other causes. 

How Does The Prevent Strategy Apply To Schools? 

From July 2015 all schools have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism. This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views the same way we protect them from drugs or gang violence. Importantly, we can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they understand how to protect themselves. 

What Does This Mean In Practice? 

Many of the things we already do in school to help children become positive, happy members of society also contribute to the Prevent strategy. Assemblies, Tutorials, PSHE and Citizenship lessons contribute to the guiding of our students. 

  • This includes: Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity 
  • Challenging prejudices and racist comments 
  • Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity 
  • Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, as well as British values such as democracy and the rule of law. 
  • We will also protect children from the risk of radicalisation, for example by using filters on the internet to make sure they can’t access extremist and terrorist material, or by vetting visitors who come into school to work with pupils. 

Further information for parents – The Prevent Duty – Government Guidelines.

Key Documents

(NB. The yellow highlighted text on our Penair Child Protection and Safeguarding 2023/2024 Policy denotes amendments and additions for 2023/24).

Keeping children safe in education 2023 (part one) PDFPenair Child protection and safeguarding 2023-2024 PDF

Contact 

Designated Safeguarding Lead – Mrs Nicola Hosking – nhosking@penair.cornwall.sch.uk     01872 245162

Links 

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Safeguarding Children Partnership – Home page (ciossafeguarding.org.uk)