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 responsibility for safeguarding children and promoting their welfare, in line with statutory guidance from Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, the Children Acts 1989/2004, and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018.

We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where children and adults feel secure, are able to speak up, and are confident that they will be listened to. Our approach is guided by the principle “it could happen here”, ensuring vigilance, proactive safeguarding, and early intervention.

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 kindness, respect, and perseverance, underpins all interactions and learning. Warm and trusting relationships are central to our school, and children’s mental health, wellbeing, and personal development are prioritised alongside academic progress. Staff equip pupils with strong personal skills, resilience, and knowledge of how to seek help when needed.

Designated Safeguarding Contacts

• DSL: Kirsty Wakefield – head@peppardprimary.co.uk

• Deputy DSLs: 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 through regular refresher sessions, in line with national guidance.

If You Are Concerned

If you believe a child may be at risk of harm:

• Contact the MASH team on 0345 050 7666

• Call 999 in an emergency

• Report non-urgent concerns via 101 or online

Additional information is available through the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board and our school safeguarding policies, accessible on our website.

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

Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

Our safeguarding team regularly reviews incidents, policies, and practice to ensure the protection of all pupils. We reflect on learning from cases, provide appropriate staff supervision and training, and continually improve safeguarding systems to ensure they are effective and responsive.

Child-on-Child Abuse

We recognise that children can be harmed by other children. Our staff are trained to identify and respond to child-on-child abuse, including bullying, physical harm, sexual harassment, and domestic abuse within pupils’ own relationships. All concerns are treated seriously and managed in line with statutory guidance and school policy.

Online Safety

Online safety is an integral part of safeguarding. Children are taught to use the internet, social media, and digital devices safely and responsibly. Staff and parents work together to maintain a safe digital environment, and any concerns are addressed promptly in line with school policies.

Working with Families and Agencies

There are times when concerns 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. External agencies, such as the police through Operation Encompass, may also share information relevant to a child’s safety. In exceptional cases, Social Care may speak to a child without their parents’ knowledge, always in collaboration with partner agencies and only when immediate risk is present.

Domestic Abuse

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all pupils and families, including supporting those affected by domestic abuse. Children who witness or experience domestic abuse are supported and treated as victims in their own right.

Children and Young People:

• We encourage children to speak to a trusted adult in school if they are worried about themselves or someone they know.

• For support outside school, children 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 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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