Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding at Peppard Church of England Primary School

At Peppard Church of England Primary School, the safety, wellbeing, and protection of every child is our highest priority. All governors and staff share the responsibility to safeguard children and promote their welfare, in line with statutory guidance from Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024, the Children Act 1989/2004, and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018.

We strive to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where children and adults feel secure, able to speak up, and confident that they will be listened to. Our approach is guided by the principle “it could happen here”, ensuring that we remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding all pupils.

Our school community is inspired by the words “Encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). This ethos, alongside our values of compassion, humility, thankfulness, courage, forgiveness, and perseverance, underpins all interactions and learning. Relationships across the school are warm and trusting, and children’s progress, mental health, and wellbeing are equally prioritised. Staff equip pupils with strong personal skills and resilience, and parents recognise the support provided, particularly for children needing additional help.

There are occasions when concerns about a child require consultation with other agencies. While we aim to work in partnership with parents wherever possible, there are rare circumstances where action may be taken without parental consent to protect a child. Other agencies, such as the police through Operation Encompass, may also contact us to share information relevant to a child’s safety. In exceptional cases, Social Care may, during an investigation under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989, speak to a child without their parents’ knowledge—always in collaboration with partner agencies and only when immediate risk is present.

Designated Safeguarding Contacts:

• DSL: Kirsty Wakefield – head@peppardprimary.co.uk
• Deputy DSL’s: Becky Claridge and Kia Lawrence – DDSL@peppardprimary.co.uk
• Safeguarding Governor: Hannah Rancombe – safeguardinggov@peppardprimary.co.uk

All staff receive safeguarding and child protection training at induction and regular refresher sessions, following national guidance.

If you are concerned that a child is at risk of harm or abuse, please contact the MASH team on 0345 050 7666, call 999 in an emergency, or report non-urgent concerns via 101 or online. For further information, please see the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board or the school’s safeguarding policies available on our website.

At Peppard, we are committed to maintaining the highest safeguarding standards so that every child can learn, play, and grow in a secure, nurturing, and supportive environment.

Domestic Abuse

At Peppard School, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils and families. One important part of this commitment is helping everyone understand domestic abuse and the support available.

Domestic abuse is any type of controlling, bullying, threatening or violent behaviour between people in a relationship. It can seriously harm children and young people — and witnessing domestic abuse is itself a form of child abuse.

It’s important to remember that domestic abuse:

• can happen inside or outside the home

• can occur over the phone, online or on social media

• can happen in any relationship and can continue even after a relationship has ended

• can affect anyone — both men and women can be victims or abusers

• Oxfordshire domestic Abuse services: https://a2dominion.co.uk/services/domestic-abuse-support-services

Oxforshire Domestic abuse helpline:

0800 731 0055

10am - 7pm, weekdays

Children and Young People

Children are now recognised as victims in their own right when they experience or witness domestic abuse.
Being exposed to domestic abuse can have serious effects on a child’s wellbeing — influencing how they feel, think and behave.

At Peppard, we promote an environment of care, respect and safety, and we encourage children to speak to a trusted adult in school if they are worried about themselves or someone they know.

If a child needs to talk to someone outside school, they can contact Childline at 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk. Calls are free and confidential.

Adults

If you are an adult experiencing domestic abuse, support is available:

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline — 0808 2000 247
  (Free, 24-hour helpline run in partnership by Women’s Aid and Refuge)

• Relate — 0300 003 0396
  (Relationship advice and support, including around domestic abuse)

• Men’s Advice Line — 0808 801 0327
  (Support for men experiencing domestic abuse)

• National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline — 0800 999 5428
  (Emotional and practical support for LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse)

Operation Encompass

Our school takes part in Operation Encompass, a police and education partnership that helps schools provide immediate support for children who may have experienced domestic abuse.

This ensures our safeguarding staff can respond quickly and sensitively, offering care and understanding in line with our school’s values.

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