ICPS is committed to creating a happy and safe environment for our children to learn.

Our teaching of personal, social and health education and citizenship, as part of the National Curriculum, helps to develop appropriate attitudes in our children and makes them aware of the impact of their decisions on others. We also teach them how to recognise different risks in different situations, and how to behave in response to them and know who to speak to if they have worries.

Useful Contacts

Designated Senior Person: Mrs Julia Alison – Headteacher
Designated Senior Person: Miss Ruth Heygate – Deputy Head
Designated Senior Person: Mrs Rebecca Hobson – SENCO
Chair of Governors with Safeguarding responsibility : Mrs Lucy Winrow
Family Link Worker – Mrs Jo Thom - found daily at the school gate

Child Protection

This is an important subject in which all staff receives regular training. Our priority is to work with you but there may be times when we have to involve other people.

Everybody has a responsibility to keep all children under the age of 18 safe. Harm is identified in four ways:

Physical—this is when a child is deliberately hurt or injured

Sexual—this is when a child is influenced or forced to take part in a sexual activity. This can be a physical activity or none physical, e.g. being made to look at an inappropriate image.

Emotional—this is when a child is made to feel frightened worthless or unloved. It can be by shouting, using threats or making fun of someone. It can also be when children see their parents, or visitors to the home, fighting or using violence

What School Must Do

A child should be able to go to school and feel safe so that they can achieve their very best.

• Anybody who works or volunteers at ICPS are subject to a DSB (Disclosure & Barring Service) prior to joining the school, to make sure they are safe to work with children. We ensure all new staff attend Safeguarding training.

• The school has 3 Designated Senior Leads (DSL’s) for Safeguarding, Mrs Julia Alison, Miss Ruth Heygate & Mrs Rebecca Hobson who have all had extra training to know what to do when a concern is brought to them.

• We will always listen to you and work closely with you if we are concerned about your child but, sometimes, we may not be able to discuss our concern. The school has a safeguarding policy which tells you more about this and when we must speak to the police or children’s services. Please find a copy of this policy on the website www.irchester.northants.sch.uk

• We will help your child to learn about keeping themselves safe. Lessons can include Protective Behaviours, e-safety, anti‐bullying, road safety, Bikeability, healthy eating, healthy relationships, drug and alcohol awareness. As part of these lessons your child will be told what to do if they are worried.

Neglect—this is when a child is not being taken care of by their parents. It can be poor hygiene, poor diet, and not keeping appointments for additional support, not coming to school or being left home alone.

What Parents Must Do

Parents are the most important people to keep their children safe. You should always

• Feel confident to raise concerns about your child.

• Talk to school if you need help or support.

• Read the school policies about safety issues.

• Let the school know if your child has a medical condition.

• Let the school know if you have any court orders relating to the safety of your child.

• Let the school know if there is a change in your circumstances such as a house move, a new contact number, a change of name, a change of parental responsibility.

• Who will be dropping off or collecting your child and two other emergency contacts. You must inform the school of any changes to agreed arrangements.

• Let the school know if your child is going to be absent and the reasons why.

• Seek permission to use phone technology in school environment for any reason..

Safeguarding Issues

Attendance—your child's attendance is monitored daily and significant absences are always followed up by the attendance officer. The school has an attendance policy that you should read and understand.

Behaviour—ICPS has clear behaviour rules for the whole school community that must be followed to keep everyone safe and happy. We understand that children do sometimes fall out and this will be dealt with by an adult who will listen to the children involved and help resolve the situation.

Bullying—the school takes all cases of bullying very seriously and will work with children and families to try and resolve any problems. The school has Anti-bullying ambassadors visible in blue sweatshirts and an anti-bullying policy that you should read and understand.

Health and Safety—Everyone at ICPS has a responsibility to keep adults and children safe in the school environment. The school has a clear health and safety & welfare policy which everyone must follow. The school have fully trained first aiders to deal with any accidents in school.

E‐safety ‐ the school recognises that technology plays an important role in the education of our children and is committed to safeguarding children in the virtual world.

To support parents, the school has e‐safety information evenings to help keep your children safe both in school and at home.

Complaints—if you have any complaints about how the school is working with you or your child please feel free to speak to us. The Head Teacher will always be happy to speak to you to work together, to try to resolve any difficulties. It is better to speak to us as soon as you have a concern so that it does not become a bigger issue. If you do not feel the matter has not been resolved, you can raise your concerns with the governing body.

ICPS is committed to creating a happy and safe environment for our children to learn.