Safeguarding & esafety

Statement from WHSG April 2021

The murder of Sarah Everard in March has ignited a national debate about women's safety and misogyny. We have been made aware that a number of pupils who have studied at WHSG have submitted testimonies on a survivors' website.  We are saddened that any pupil could have been impacted in the ways detailed, and wish to state that, as a school, we are committed to doing everything we can to condemn these practices in every form and to strive to ensure that the pupils and staff at WHSG feel safe and cared for. We would encourage pupils to report any concerns to the school or to the police.

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Safeguarding Statement

WHSG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of all students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We strive to ensure that consistent and effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support families, students and staff at school.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Miss Dunn, Assistant Headteacher. The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Mrs Foley, Mrs Cann, Mrs Joscelyne, Miss Leonard, Miss Arthur, Miss Thompson, Miss Birch, Mr Ludgate, Miss Smith, Mr Vinten and Mrs Mansfield. Mona Sood is the Safeguarding Governor.

WHSG has policies and procedures in place to deal effectively with child protection and safeguarding issues, which include tackling radicalisation and extremism, together with recording and monitoring processes.

To promote a safe environment for students, WHSG employs a rigours selection and recruitment policy which includes all statutory checks on staff and regular volunteers including Enhanced DBS (disclosure and barring service) checks.

All staff are trained to a level appropriate to their safeguarding responsibilities ranging from basic awareness for all, to Level 2 for staff and Level 3 training for the Safeguarding Leads. Other safeguarding training is attended by relevant staff and governors. The training is monitored and comprehensive records kept by the DSL.

All concerns are passed through members of staff who are trained as 'Designated Child Protection Officers' in school in compliance with the HM 'sharing of information' guidance March 2015. Staff are required to report any causes of concern to the school safeguarding team. Referrals are logged and monitored to make sure that they are followed up appropriately.

Student attendance is monitored closely and concerns shared as appropriate with parents/carers, the Southend Attendance Officer, Social Care and the school Safeguarding team. WHSG works effectively with other agencies and parents/carers when necessary to safeguard young people.

If you have any serious concerns about your child, another student or a member of staff at WHSG please do not hesitate to contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who will be able to provide you with the best advice and help using the appropriate degree of confidentiality.

Miss Dunn

• Safeguarding & esafety

  • Internet Safety.pdf
    Child Exploitation Online Protection.pdf
    Email Protocol WHSG.pdf
    My Child At School Usage Policy.pdf
    Whistleblowing Policy
    Supporting Students with Medical Conditions
    Addendum to Child Protection Policy during restricted school attendance
    Keeping Children Safe in Education Part One
    SEEAT Child Protection Policy Updated March 2023