Safeguarding

Safeguarding curriculum at Burnt Oak Junior School

At Burnt Oak Junior School, keeping children safe is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that teaching pupils how to stay safe and make responsible choices is just as important as their academic learning.

Through our broad and engaging curriculum, children have many opportunities to learn about the world around them and how to take care of their own wellbeing. We teach essential skills and knowledge that help pupils understand how to keep themselves and others safe – both in and out of school.

Safeguarding topics are covered in a clear and age-appropriate way through our PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) lessons. These are supported by school assemblies, visits from external speakers, and other areas of the curriculum.

We recognise that some subjects need to be taught with extra sensitivity. Where appropriate, these are delivered in small groups or one-to-one, especially when there’s an urgent or individual need.

We also ensure that our safeguarding and RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) curriculum is accessible to all children, including those with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), so every child receives the same vital knowledge and support.

Our aim is to encourage children to think carefully about issues such as personal safety, emotional wellbeing, and healthy relationships. We provide a safe space where pupils feel confident to ask questions, share their thoughts, and express any concerns.

Across all areas of school life, we help children explore important values such as respect, fairness, and equality. This not only supports their personal development but also helps to promote British values and protect them from harm, including risks such as radicalisation and extremism.

By working together with families, we can ensure that every child at Burnt Oak feels safe, supported, and ready to thrive.

Safeguarding

At Burnt Oak Junior School, we are committed to practices which protect children from harm and aim to create a culture of vigilance throughout the school. Staff and volunteers in our school are aware of their statutory responsibilities with respect to safeguarding and accept and recognise their responsibilities to develop awareness of the issues which can cause children harm and to take appropriate action within a timely manner. We will always act in the best interest of the child.

It is acknowledged that a child can be abused, harmed or neglected in a family, institution or community setting by someone known to them, or less commonly, by a stranger. This includes someone in a position of trust such as a teacher or other professional.

Safeguarding and the promotion of a child’s welfare covers all aspects of the child’s life and Burnt Oak Junior School is committed to ensuring that all its actions in respect of a child are compatible with this aim. If there are concerns about a child’s welfare that do not meet the thresholds of child abuse, the school will consider whether working together with other relevant agencies to provide early help should be considered.

Designated Safeguarding Leads at Burnt Oak Junior School

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) – Miss Kimberley Snow, Head of School

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) – Ms Hayley Turner, Deputy Head

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) – Mrs Vicky Harbor, SENDCo

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) – Miss Lizzie Buckley, SLT & Year 6 Teacher

Childline Links

https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/

NSPCC Links

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/coronavirus-abuse-neglect-vulnerable-children/