Safeguarding

Definition of Safeguarding

Keeping children safe in Education, DfE, defines safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children as: 

“Protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes. ‘Children’ includes every one under the age of 18.” 

You can find a copy of the national guidelines here: 

• DfE - Sexual Violence and Sexual Harrassment Between Children in Schools and Colleges
• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026

 Safeguarding Team

At Grange Academy, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and welcoming environment where every child is respected, valued and protected.

Schools play a vital role in safeguarding children and work closely with social care, health services and the police to promote children's welfare and keep them safe from harm.

Our safeguarding team is led by:

• Mrs Morris - Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy Headteacher
• Miss Ashton-Lewis - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
• Supported by Mrs Timms - Headteacher

The DSL and DDSL are responsible for:

• Supporting staff to recognise and report safeguarding concerns.
• Ensuring safeguarding training is regularly updated.
• Making referrals to external agencies when needed.
• Monitoring and supporting vulnerable children.
• Maintaining secure safeguarding records.
• Working closely with families and external professionals to keep children safe.

Policies

Operation Encompass

Our school is part of Operation Encompass.

This is a police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people who experience Domestic Abuse. Operation Encompass means that the police will share information about Domestic Abuse incidents with our school PRIOR to the start of the next school day when they have been called to a domestic incident.

Our parents are fully aware that we are an Operation Encompass school. The Operation Encompass information is stored in line with all other confidential safeguarding and child protection information.

Early Help

Every family goes through challenging times at some point, and it is ok to ask for help. ‘Early Help’ means working with you and your family so that small problems don’t become big problems, and help you be the very best family you can be.

Early help is for everybody, for families with children and young people of any age. It is about helping as early as possible. It is about looking at what help you need as a family before you start to struggle. The earlier we can get the support, the better the outcome.

If you think you would like to access early help or for further advice, please contact the following number or take a look at the attached web-link. If you have any questions or worries please do not hesitate to come into school and speak with Miss Ashton-Lewis.

 Bedfordshire Early Help: 01234 718700

Early Help

Prevent Duty

Pupils are encouraged to express and discuss their ideas, thoughts and feelings through a variety of lessons and activities and have access to a range of opportunities that promote respect and empathy for others.

As part of the Prevent duty under s.26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, we are aware of the importance of building children’s’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling them to challenge extremist views.

At Grange Academy, we build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by providing a safe environment for debating controversial issues and helping them to understand how they can influence and participate in proactive and positive decision making.

Grange Academy is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. As part of internet safety, we ensure suitable filters are in place to keep children away from extremist materials.

Photographs and Videos

Any photographs or videos taken by parents, carers, friends and relatives at school events, productions or open events are for the enjoyments of individual families. They must not be used in a way that could potentially place a child at risk. This would include publishing images or putting them on the internet including social media networking sites. This message is emphasised before concerts and events in school.

We understand in some circumstances a parent or carer may not wish their child to be photographed or videoed in this way or within school by staff. If this is the case, then please inform the school and update via the schools’ photo permission form.