To contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead please email dsl@npcps.co.uk or phone 01278 662442.

Outside of school hours call Somerset County Council 0300 1232224.

In an emergency call 999.

Safeguarding 

North Petherton Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff, volunteers and parents to share this commitment.

The school is a safe and happy environment for children where adults are always vigilant about their care. The culture of this school is one that it is safe for children. All staff and visitors will be subject to safer recruitment checks.

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy which can be viewed in the Policies section of our website.

The Safeguarding Policy has obvious links with the wider safeguarding agenda so when agreeing or reviewing the policy, links are made with other relevant guidelines and procedures such as (but not limited to):

• Safe Recruitment
• Code of Conduct
• Online safety
• Children Missing in Education
• Social Networking
• Health and Safety
• Behaviour Policy

We listen to our children and take seriously what they tell us. All school staff are trained in Child Protection, and children are made aware of the adults they can talk to if they have any concerns. Staff are trained to look out for signs of physical/emotional harm or neglect and are required to report these to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

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 their parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child's welfare.   We actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Jason Nicolaides (Deputy Headteacher), the Deputy Safeguarding Leads are Janine Donovan (Headteacher), Nic van-Cole (SENDCo) and Caroline Gibbon (SLT). The school's Safeguarding Governor is Linda Hyde.

Guidelines for Visitors

Signing in and out

All visitors to North  Petherton Community Primary School must sign in and out in the school office. Visitors will be issued with a visitor’s badge which must be work at all times. When leaving school, all visitors must sign out and return their badge to the office

What are my responsibilities as a visitor?

Please remember that our main concern is always for the children, this overrides concerns for any adult, including parents and staff. We all have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children. Visitors should act promptly is they witness an incident which could give them rise to concern. It is unlikely that in a single visit you would spot any safeguarding concerns, but should this happen all incidents must be reported to a member of staff. 

How do I ensure my behaviour is always appropriate?

Appropriate relationships with out children should be based on mutual trust and respect; You should model respectful behaviour. Our children are very well behaved and polite - but they are children, so if you spot any disrespectful behaviour please report it to a member of staff who will deal with it.

DO NOT photograph, record or video children without permission.

Fire and Evacuation

The alarm is a continuous bell and you must leave by the nearest exit. Make your way out of the building and onto the playground. The Fire Assembly Point is on playground by Dolphins (on the Mendip side) and on the playground nearest the field if you are in the Quantock building.  Here you will be recorded as present by a member of staff. Do not take any personal risks. Do not re-enter the school until you are informed it is safe to do so.

      Safeguarding children is everybody’s responsibility

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, you are encouraged to report it to one of the above or to ring Somerset Direct on 0300 1232224.

Some useful websites for parents and carers...