Safeguarding

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do here at Worth. We believe all children have the right to learn in a safe environment, free from harm and abuse – either by adults or other pupils.

Our high level of pastoral care, which was recognised in our most recent ISI Inspection report, ensures that in addition to the loving, reflective Catholic ethos of the School we provide a caring environment where wellbeing and safeguarding is paramount

We are dedicated to promoting the welfare of our pupils, enabling them to achieve their potential. This is regardless of age, ability, race, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation or class.

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding in schools is essential for keeping children safe.

It means having: whole-school policies and procedures; staff and volunteers confident in identifying and raising concerns; leadership confident in responding to and referring concerns and working with other agencies to protect children; teaching resources to promote wellbeing.

At Worth we have a Safeguarding Team, led by Designated Safeguarding Lead Mr Mark Macdonald, Deputy Head (Pastoral). Our strong pastoral system allows pupils to reach out to many different professionals around the School including their House Parents, tutors, matrons, DSLs and the Safeguarding and Pupil Wellbeing Officer. Additionally, pupils also have access to our BACP accredited School Counsellor.

We are committed to providing a caring environment, instilled through a culture of openness and collective responsibility. We take all allegations of safeguarding and bullying seriously, and the voice of the young person or people involved remains central.

What we tell our pupils

Pupils are given detailed guidance at the start of each academic year and what follows is a short summary of this advice.

All pupils are encouraged to speak up if they are unhappy or upset about anything, whether that is something affecting them directly, something that is upsetting a friend or classmate, or something that they have seen at the School that has caused them concern – even if they do not personally know the individual affected.

Unique to Worth School is our Forerunners team within the Chaplaincy who can support pupils’ spiritual growth and wellbeing.

We also remind pupils who they can talk to at the School and in the wider community.

Who to contact

The Safeguarding Team is led by our Designated Safeguarding Lead and a team of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads. All their contact details are listed below, just click on the names to send an email.

Designated Safeguarding Lead:

• Mr Mark Macdonald – Deputy Head (Pastoral), 01342 710260

Deputy DSLs:

• Ms Marisa Bosa – Senior Deputy Head
• Ms Emma-Louise Coogan – Safeguarding and Pupil Wellbeing Officer
• Mr Glen McPheat – Head of Learning Enhancement
• Mrs Dawn Clubb – Head of English
• Mr Paul Cheeseman – Farwell Housemaster
• Miss Ellie Ross – Head of Boarding and St Mary’s Housemistress
• Mr Liam Richman – Rutherford Housemaster
• Mr Paul Harrison – Austin Housemaster

Governance

We also have a Governor with specific responsibility for safeguarding. Her name is Louise Chamberlain and she can be contacted at lchamberlain@worth.org.uk

How do I seek support?

Pupils are encouraged to speak to any member of staff or another trusted adult if they have any concerns. If a child feels nervous about speaking face-to-face, they can either report anonymously via Flag it (available on the MyWorth intranet pupil homepage on any device) or consider bringing a friend with them to any meeting. All safeguarding concerns are taken seriously and reported to the Safeguarding Team so that pupils can receive the best support.

Should any visitors to the School have a safeguarding concern, these can be reported directly to the Safeguarding Management Team by completing our Visitor reporting form.

Where else can I get support?

Our In Need of Some Help? document is available to all pupils within the School. As well as providing clear advice on how to get help, the document lists further contacts including the School Counsellor, an independent listener for boarders and Childline.

Our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be found here.