Information for Parents
Safeguarding and Prevent
Safeguarding
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Nicky Drew (Pupil Support and Welfare Lead); our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Kristen Fawcett (Headteacher), Leah Kendry (Deputy Headteacher), and Emma Walton (Assistant Headteacher) and our Designated Safeguarding Leads for the BASC are Sue Bennett (BASC Manager) Sharon Sanderson and Eleanor Clear.
Keeping Children Safe in Education – 2023
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children
There is concern nationally relating to a culture of misogyny and sexual harassment in many schools. Rush Common School is aware that Sexual violence and sexual abuse can happen anywhere ‘it could happen here’. We have a zero-tolerance approach to sexual violence and sexual harassment, meaning that it is never acceptable, and it will not be tolerated. It should never be passed off as “just having a laugh”, “part of growing up” or “boys being boys”.
Children can abuse other children (often referred to as peer on peer abuse). This can happen both inside and outside of school and online.
Sexual violence and sexual harassment can occur between two children of any age and sex, including primary school pupils. It can occur through a group of children sexually assaulting or sexually harassing a single child or group of children. Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are three times more likely to be abused than their peers.
Rush Common School uses the Jigsaw PSHE Scheme to promote healthy and respectful relationships; celebrating difference, understanding of self-identity and how the body changes over time. This enables pupils to openly discuss issues and understand how to be respectful towards others.
Reporting incidents of sexual violence and harassment
Victims should be taken seriously, kept safe and never be made to feel like they are creating a problem for reporting abuse, sexual violence or sexual harassment.
Pupils can report any concerns regarding sexual violence or harassment to any trusted adult in school. Staff will then report concerns promptly to the DSL or DDSL face to face. Rush Common School will make decisions on a case-by-case basis, with the designated safeguarding lead (or a deputy) taking a leading role, being supported by other agencies, such as children’s social care and the police as required. Staff will refer to the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, particularly around how to manage a disclosure from a pupil.
Rush Common School recognises that sexual violence and sexual harassment can occur online (either in isolation or in connection to offline incidents). Pupils can report online issues to any trusted adult in school, and pupils are made aware of this.
Parents or carers should normally be informed of any reported incidents (unless this would put the victim at greater risk).
The NSPCC provides a helpline for professionals at 0808 800 5000 and help@nspcc.org.uk. The helpline provides expert advice and support for school staff. Young people and adults can contact the NSPCC helpline, Report Abuse in Education on 0800 136 663 or email help@nspcc.org.uk
Prevent
As part of Rush Common’s commitment to safeguarding and child protection we fully support the government’s Prevent Strategy and are committed to protecting our pupils from radicalism and extremism. The Prevent strategy is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It:
- responds to the ideological challenge we face from terrorism and aspects of extremism, and the threat we face from those who promote these views
- provides practical help to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support
- works with a wide range of sectors (including education, criminal justice, faith, charities, online and health)
A link to the full document can be found here:
The school also completes a Prevent Self- Assessment annually and this is used to inform actions in the School Improvement Plan and in the Prevent Action Plan itself. All staff and Directors have undertaken online Prevent training this year.
Details about how our school works to promote the appreciation and celebration of diversity and British Values, can be found under the Curriculum section of our website.
Prevent Education Toolkit and Self Assessment – May 2016
NSPCC Pants Campaign
Teach your child the Underwear Rule and help protect them from abuse. It’s a simple way that parents can help keep children safe from sexual abuse – without using scary words or even mentioning sex. Click on the link below for further information.
NSPCC Pants Campaign ‘The Underwear Rule’ Guide for Parents
