Safeguarding
The school works closely with a range of agencies to safeguard children, including Early Help, Social Care, Encompass and the Police.
Our team
Thorpe Acre Junior School recognise that all adults have a full and active part to play in protecting our pupils from harm, and that the child’s welfare is our paramount concern.
We endeavour to provide a caring, positive, safe and stimulating environment that promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual child.
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Jo Beaumont
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
Rebekah Spencer
Kirstie Bennett
Our Safeguarding Governor is Gill Lyon, please contact her via the clerk.
The school will ensure
- Children’s welfare is paramount to all practice
- All concerns raised are dealt with sensitively, effectively and promptly following the correct procedures
- That all staff read and adhere to the school’s Safeguarding and Child Protection policy and Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025
- That all staff are clear of how to follow safeguarding procedures
- The whole school will receive annual safeguarding training
- That safer recruitment practices, which ensure appropriate checks are in place and adhered to
Safeguarding the site
Visitor Management: Our school operates a strict 'Sign-In/Sign-Out' policy. All visitors must enter through the main reception, provide identification, and wear a visible identification badge at all times. If you do not hold a current DBS certificate, or are unable to present it, a member of staff will accompany you for the duration of your visit. Unidentified individuals on site will be challenged.
Staff Management: All staff must sign in and out at main reception, and wear their ID badge at all times.
Site Security Awareness: We employ a comprehensive, multi-layered security approach, including controlled access points and secure perimeter fencing to ensure the safety of our pupils, staff, and visitors. At the beginning and end of each day, as well as during breaktimes, lunchtimes, and school trips, members of staff can be easily identified by their high-visibility jackets.
Deterrence Statement: Our premises are monitored to prevent unauthorised access. The school works closely with external partners to maintain a safe and secure environment.
CCTV Warning: For the protection of the school community, the school premises, including entrance points and external grounds, are monitored by 24-hour, high-definition CCTV surveillance.
Access Control: Our school uses electronic fob access control systems, ensuring that entry to our buildings is strictly monitored and limited to authorised personnel.
Emergency Preparedness: Our intruder alarm systems connect directly to a central monitoring station for immediate response to any security breaches.
Staff Training: All staff are trained in site security awareness, visitor management, and emergency response protocols, ensuring a high level of vigilance across the school site.
Emergency Drills: We regularly practice security procedures, including lockdown and invacuation drills, to ensure that staff and pupils are well-prepared for any potential threat.
Online Reporting: We encourage a safe and open culture where security concerns can be reported confidentially. If you are concerned for the safety of the school, contact the police on 999 in an emergency, or visit https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ if not deemed an emergency. If you are concerned for the safety of a child, please call Children's Duty First Response: 0116 305 0005
Property Marking: All school property, including computers and IT equipment, is marked for security purposes and logged in our inventory system.
Removal of Assets: We implement a policy where all valuable IT assets are stored securely.
Safeguarding in the curriculum
We are committed to giving our pupils the tools and knowledge that is required to keep themselves and each other safe from harm. Children are taught about safeguarding in school. The following areas are among those addressed in PSHE and in the wider curriculum:
- Bullying including cyberbullying
- Drugs, alcohol and substance abuse (including awareness of County Lines and the criminal exploitation of children where appropriate
- Online safety
- The danger of meeting up with strangers
- Fire and water safety
- Road Safety
- Domestic abuse
- Healthy relationships and consent
- (So called) Honour based violence issues (HBV) e.g. forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) (see appendices 1 and 2)
- Sexual exploitation of children (CSE)
- Child criminal exploitation (including cybercrime)
- Preventing extremism and radicalisation
Social Care
Contact number for social care: If you have a concern about a child, you can call the First Response Children’s Duty Team for Leicestershire County Council can be reached at 0116 305 0005. This number is available 24 hours a day for urgent concerns. Phone 999 if a crime is being committed or if a child is in immediate danger.
Useful links
Leicestershire First Response Children’s Duty Team
Leicestershire & Rutland Safeguarding Children Partnership