Online Safety & Safeguarding

Child Protection & Safeguarding

Everyone at St Mary’s takes child protection and safeguarding very seriously and all staff are trained and updated regularly. Mr Getty is the school Designated Safeguarding Lead and Mrs Scanlon is the Deputy Safeguarding Lead. We have close connections with other agencies and can signpost students and parents to other support, both inside and outside school, where necessary. All staff and governors have had a DBS and police check. We ask that regular volunteers in school also go through this same process.

E-Safety

We provide safe access to internet and digital technology at school in order to help pupils learn and achieve but, just as learners need to stay safe in the real world, it is important that they know how to stay safe in the digital world. We work hard with children of all ages, parents and carers to highlight best e-safety practices. The links and resources on this page are provided to help further.

Safeguarding Policy

Online Safety Policy

Operation Encompass

St Mary's is part of the Operation Encompass partnership between police and schools.

One of the principles of Operation Encompass is that all incidents of domestic abuse are shared with schools, not just those where an offence can be identified.

Please see the Operation Encompass website for further information: https://www.operationencompass.org/

CEOP

ThinkUKnow

www.youngminds.org.uk

www.saferinternet.org.uk

It is important to make sure you know which sites your child is visiting online. Remember that it is possible to get online via phones, tablets, kindles and a range of gaming platforms, such as XBox and WiiU, as well as computers. Talk to your child about the need to be careful about what they say and do online – remember once a message or picture is out there it could be there forever. Future employers will be able to see what your child is putting online now!

We are aware that some students are playing games on their phones, computers and gaming platforms that are designed for older children or even for adults. Please make sure your child is not misusing their digital equipment. Be aware that most social media sites can be only legally be used by young people over 13! We are aware of students under that age having Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts.