Safeguarding

The safety of our students is our number one priority. Students are supervised at all times by staff during the school day, both on-site and whilst on educational visits. All staff wear lanyards at all times. Staff members man the school gates at the start and end of the day.

Entry to the school for visitors is restricted by an electronic fob system. Once on the school site, all visitors are registered and wear an identification lanyard. Visitors without DBS clearance are supervised at all times. 

We have a ‘safeguarding culture’ at The Swan. All staff are trained to look out for possible signs of child abuse and to know what to do if they suspect a child is at risk. We also make it clear to students who they should talk to and what to do if they are having any problems.

If you have any concerns about the safety or well-being of one of our students or a member of staff at the school, please contact one of our safeguarding leads:

You can also use the Green Button to alert us to a concern.

We help to keep students safe by:

• Having an up-to-date Child Protection Policy
• Having other safeguarding policies, such as anti-bullying and e-safety
• Checking the suitability of all our staff to work with children
• Encouraging students to tell us if something is wrong (via the Green Button)
• Adhering to health and safety regulations
• Training all our staff to recognise and respond to child welfare concerns
• Appointing designated people who has additional training in child protection
• Working in partnership with parents and carers
• Sharing information with appropriate agencies if we have concerns
• Managing and supporting our staff team

Harmful Sexual Behaviours

It is natural for children to be curious about their bodies and their sexuality. Most sexual behaviours are typical and developmentally appropriate.They can be described as: Spontaneous, curious, light-hearted, easily diverted, enjoyable, mutual and consensual, appropriate to the child’s age and development and include activities or play among equals in terms of age, size and ability levels.

These behaviours provide opportunities to talk, explain and provide support. Sexual behaviours can be concerning or harmful if they do not align with the description above. At our school staff have been trained to use the Brooks Traffic Light tool to make sure we respond appropriately to sexual behaviours and will always contact parents and carers if their child is involved.

Harmful Sexual Behaviours can occur between two children of any age and sex from primary through to secondary stage and into colleges. It can occur through a group of children sexually assaulting or sexually harassing a single child or group of children. 

Sexual violence and sexual harassment exist on a continuum and may overlap; they can occur online and face to face (both physically and verbally) and are never acceptable. As set out in Part one of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), all staff working with children are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’.

Sexual harassment creates an atmosphere that, if not challenged, can normalise inappropriate behaviours and provide an environment that may lead to sexual violence.

Identifying Child - on - Child abuse and sexual harassment 

Child - on - Child abuse and sexual harassment can take a number of forms, it is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, which can include:

• Sexual comments about another's body

• Unwanted physical contact

• Interfering with clothing 

• Comments about another's sexual experience

• Sexual "jokes" or taunting including innuendo

• Rating someone's attractiveness

• Jokes about rape or sexual abuse 

• Sexual name-calling

• Sexual gestures

• Online sexual harassment

• Use of mobile phones to share images or take photos without permission
   

Responding to incidents of Child - on - Child abuse and sexual harassment

At our school we never pass an incident off as "banter", "part of growing up" or "having a laugh" even if the victim says that they don't mind. We recognise the gendered nature of child -on- child abuse (that girls are more likely to be victims and boys more likely to be perpetrators), but that all forms are unacceptable and will be taken seriously. We understand that child perpetrators of sexual harassment are likely to have experienced or witnessed harm or inappropriate behaviour themselves and may need support beyond the school's Behaviour Policy.

• All incidents of child on child sexual harassment are treated as a safeguarding concern and safeguarding procedures will be followed

• Any incidents of unwanted touching under clothes (even if over underwear) will be reported to MASH and the police

• All incidents of child -on-child  abuse and sexual harassment, inline with our Behaviour Policy, Anti-bullying Policy and Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy are reported through CPOMS

• All pupils are taught about consent in line with the National Curriculum and through their Personal Development (PD) lessons

• Staff receive additional training regarding Harmful Sexual behaviours through Brookes and are trained to use the Brookes Traffic Light Tool.

  CLICK HERE FOR ADVICE FOR PARENTS

TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE GREEN BUTTON

HELP & ADVICE FOR STUDENTS