Safeguarding

At Wildridings Primary School, safeguarding and child protection are of utmost importance. We are committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all our children, in line with the Children Act 1989, the Children Act 2004, and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), the statutory guidance issued by the Department for Education (DfE).

We believe every pupil has the right to learn in a safe, supportive, and caring environment. This includes the right to protection from all forms of abuse, where staff are vigilant for signs of distress and are confident in applying safeguarding procedures to prevent and address any concerns.

Our Key Aims

To ensure all pupils are safe and protected from harm.
To provide a learning environment where pupils feel safe and encouraged to adopt safe practices.
To ensure that all members of the school community—staff, pupils, governors, visitors, volunteers, and parents—understand expected behaviours and the school's legal responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils.

We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and our school strives to create the safest environment in which every pupil has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. This includes ensuring pupils are equipped with the knowledge of how to seek help and that they feel supported when they share concerns.

We understand the importance of collaboration with external agencies, and we actively work with parents, carers, and other professionals to create a well-rounded approach to safeguarding. Our curriculum plays a vital role in helping children build essential life skills and protective behaviours, ensuring they are well-prepared to navigate the challenges of growing up in today’s world.

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding refers to all actions taken to:

Protect children from harm or abuse.
Promote their well-being and healthy development.
Ensure they grow up in a safe environment with effective care.
Take action to help every child achieve the best outcomes.

At Wildridings, safeguarding includes:

Child protection procedures
Health and safety
Anti-bullying policies
Staff recruitment and training in safeguarding.

How We Support Our Pupils:

We take a whole-school approach to safeguarding, working closely with parents, carers, and external agencies to ensure our pupils' safety at all times. In school, pupils are encouraged to share any concerns or worries with trusted adults, and we continuously educate them on staying safe, including topics like e-safety, stranger danger, and mental health.

Who to Contact:

If you have any concerns about the safety or well-being of a child, please contact one of the following members of staff:

Mr Ellis (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
Miss Cook, Mrs Wort, Mrs Tillman, or Mrs Wallis (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads)

Details for contacting these staff members can be found on the Contact Us page.

Our Safeguarding Governor is K Trikha (Deputy Chair of Governors)

Working with Local Agencies

At Wildridings Primary School, we follow and adhere to the Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board (BFSB) procedures, which are aligned with statutory safeguarding requirements. A direct link to their website is available here.

If a concern arises, we will liaise with the Bracknell Forest Council Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) team, who may, where appropriate, refer cases to the Children and Families Referral Hub. This integrated approach ensures that families receive the support they need to improve outcomes for both children and their families.

Legal and Statutory Compliance

Our approach to safeguarding aligns with the following legal frameworks and guidance:

The Children Act 1989 and 2004 (providing the legal framework for protecting children and promoting their welfare).
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) (DfE guidance, which schools are legally required to follow).
The Prevent Duty (under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, which requires schools to protect children from radicalisation and extremism).
Working Together to Safeguard Children (statutory guidance that sets out how organisations and individuals should work together to safeguard children).

Safeguarding is not only about protection from abuse but also about ensuring children are safe from bullying, discrimination, harassment, and all forms of harm. We aim to foster an environment where every pupil feels secure, supported, and valued.

Out of Hours Safeguarding Concerns:

If you have an urgent safeguarding concern outside school hours, please contact:

Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Children Board: Bracknell Forest LSCB
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (24-hour support)

If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, please contact 999 for emergency assistance.

Training and Support:

We ensure all staff and volunteers at Wildridings receive regular safeguarding training. Our Governing Body also monitors our safeguarding policies through the Pastoral Care Committee and ensures that governors are trained in safeguarding best practices.

Useful Resources for Parents:

We encourage parents and carers to be informed and proactive in their child’s safety. Here are some helpful resources for further information:

NSPCC Underwear Rule (How to talk to children about personal safety): NSPCC Underwear Rule
Think You Know (E-safety for children): Think You Know
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection): CEOP Safety Centre

For more details on our safeguarding policies, please read our full Safeguarding Policy available on the Policies page of our website.

Thank you for working with us to keep our children safe!

Some useful links

Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Children Board

Bracknell Forest Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

MASH 01344 352005 or mash@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Children

Police: 999

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Agency