Safeguarding

St Nicholas Catholic High School’s commitment to E-safety reflects the philosophy of Safeguarding at the School, particularly with reference to “The safety, well-being and protection of young people is a prime concern”.

The purpose of internet use in School is to raise educational standards, to promote student achievement, to support the professional work of staff and to enhance the School Management Information systems. Our commitment to E-safety provides a framework to help staff and students remain safe online and develop their knowledge and understanding. Those whose behaviour is unacceptable are dealt with in a firm, fair and reasonable way so as to support staff and students as individuals yet demonstrate clearly that certain patterns of behaviour are unacceptable.

All staff and students must agree to abide by the School ICT Acceptable Usage Policy prior to using any School ICT facilities. There are clear measures in place to support staff and students facing online safety issues.

All staff receive regular and appropriate E-Safety training in addition to monthly Safeguarding updates. This training is supported and endorsed by the CWAC Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and the Safeguarding Children in Education Team.

Students learn about e-Safety in Computing lessons, Form Periods and Year Assemblies and this includes the use of external speakers, such as the Police. The guidance and information provided is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure its relevance. Individual and personalised online safety support can be provided by a School Learning Mentor.

The school will regularly update parents and carers on any e-safety matters which cause concern with a view to working in partnership to safeguard students. This will most likely be through the School newsletter or through Parent Pay. This guidance can be responsive to local and national trends.

There is an annual E-Safety Guidance session for all parents and carers to provide further information and guidance.

Students are regularly reminded that they should report any E-Safety concerns they have to a member of staff as soon as possible.

If you are concerned about something that may have happened while online you can now report it to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre. You are doing the right thing and by taking this action you may not only help yourself but also help make other people safer as well.

Below are some sites about Internet Safety that you might find useful.

www.thinkuknow.co.uk
www.wisekids.org.uk
www.getsafeonline.org.uk
www.ceop.police.uk
www.childnet.com

NB:

• Sixth form students present a talk in assembly to Key Stage 3 re. staying safe online.
• Material and resources are predominantly based on CEOP

• Mr Johnson: Assistant Head Teacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead: d.johnson@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk Tel: 01606 706 000
• Lisa Burton: Safeguarding and Welfare Officer: l.burton@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk Tel: 01606 706 000 Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday
• Mr Ashley Evans, Learning Mentor, Safeguarding and Welfare Officer
  a.evans@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk   Tel: 01606 706 000  Thursday and Friday
• The School Governor linked to E-Safety is Mr Chris Mottram. For contact details please refer to Mrs Vicky Hill v.hill@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk Tel: 01606 706 000

Believing very much in prevention before intervention, St Nicholas Catholic High School is rightly proud of its investment in six Learning Mentors to provide a range of pastoral support for students. Learning Mentors are neither teachers nor counsellors but they do provide support to issues that students may be facing both within school and outside of school. They can provide immediate response to difficulties that students and their families may be facing. They also lead support for students through groups with a focus on such areas as improving self-esteem and managing anxiety.

If you wish to speak to a Learning Mentor, please contact the School Reception.

If you wish to contact the school because you have concerns about a child, please e-mail admin@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk or contact the School Reception and ask for a member of the Safeguarding Team.
Alternatively, if you have concerns about a child’s welfare, or feel that they may be being abused or neglected, please call CWAC Children’s Social Care Integrated Access and Referral Team (i-ART) 0300 123 7047 . The team can be contacted 8.30am to 5pm from Monday to Thursday and 8.30am – 4.30pm on Friday.

If you have an urgent concern outside these hours, or over a bank holiday, please call the Emergency Duty Team (out of hours) on 01244 977277.

Alternatively call Cheshire Police: 0845 458 0000/01244 350000 (999 in an emergency)