At Sherfield, and as you would expect in any school, the safeguarding of children and young people is paramount to all staff whether they be a teacher in the classroom, catering staff working hard to ensure we are all properly fed, support staff assisting with the smooth running of the school or the facilities team keeping our beautiful grounds looking pristine.
Safeguarding is led by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (who also acts as the Designated Prevent Officer) and supported by a team of deputies.
That said, our view on safeguarding is that it is everybody’s business, concern and responsibility. Our staff are professionally curious and take the view that ‘it could happen here’.
Safeguarding begins with our safer recruitment process for all staff, continues through professional learning and training, and is maintained as a culture in everything we do in and outside of the classroom.
The school works closely with outside agencies such as Hampshire Children’s Services, and it does, from time to time, become necessary to refer children to such organisations to seek advice or raise a concern. This is normally done with the knowledge and consent of the child’s parents or carers, but only if it would not harm or distress the child.
Children are strongly encouraged to report any concerns they have to a trusted adult so they can be addressed effectively and sensitively.
All concerns are handled in a highly professional manner and with confidentiality in mind.
We welcome visitors to the site, but upon arrival, you will be asked to sign in and follow a few safeguarding protocols to help keep our children safe.
If you have a concern about a child while visiting Sherfield, please let a member of staff know as soon as possible. If you are concerned about an adult's behaviour, please report this to the Head of School (Ms Caroline Taylor) or the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Please note the following contact details, which may be especially useful should you need to report concerns about a child outside of school hours or during the school holidays:
Hampshire Children’s Services (link)
National Police Prevent Advice Line (if you are concerned that a child has been or is in danger of being radicalised) – 0800 0113764
If you are concerned that a child is in immediate danger, please call 999.
Mr Duncan Page (Designated Safeguarding Lead)