Curriculum Support + Safeguarding Policies

Whether a young person stays for a short period to prepare for integration to mainstream schooling, or studies for some time for an accredited qualification, we provide a framework of choice, and developmental programmes.


A team of specialists supports Springboard who can teach subjects such as Literacy, Numeracy, Preparation for Working Life 
Information Technology (in a modern fully-networked computer suite), Graphic Design, Art and Drama as therapeutic media and a range of sporting activities.

Springboard maintains a minimum staff : pupil ratio of 1 : 2.

All teachers are educated to a minimum of degree level with specialisms which include English, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Science, and Special Educational Needs. The Directors are happy to provide full details of  current staffing specialisms upon request.

Springboard employ a number of Education Project Workers to enable the children to access the curriculum. Their qualifications include training in Special Needs, classroom support, First Aid, Youth & Community Studies, trampolining and therapeutic support.

Springboard enables young people to develop social understanding in order to develop social skills. Our small classes provide an opportunity for pupils to value each other in a culture of teaching and learning.

 Safeguarding children 2009

School Safeguarding Policy
(To be read alongside the child protection policy)
 
“Every Child Matters”
 
 
When the government published “Every Child Matters” it raised 5 key issues that were deemed essential in the complete development of each and every child:
 
·         Must be and stay safe
·         Must be healthy
·         Must be able to enjoy and achieve
·         Must be able to achieve economic well-being
·         Must make a positive contribution
 
 
There was a clearly stated need that, while each area of society has an important part to play in child development, schools must embrace the document both individually and collaboratively.
 
The government has published a policy “Safeguarding Children” (DfES/027/2004) and this school has used this in formulating its own safeguarding statement.  
From September 2006 a named member of the Senior Management Team will have the responsibility of ensuring that the school does its best to deliver each of the five key issues
Springboard Junior Safeguarding Children Statement
 
At Springboard the health and safety of all children is of paramount importance. Parents send their children to school each day with the expectation that school provides a secure environment in which their children can flourish. Springboard therefore has to ensure that this expectation becomes reality. In order to do this a wide range of measures are put in place:
 
 
The Health and Safety Policy
 
The school has a health and safety policy, which is monitored each year by the head and directors. A copy of this policy is available with 24 hours notice.
 
Any concerns from staff are reported to any of the above and the head teacher carries out an initial examination, assessing what remedial action needs to take place.
 
Each term there is a fire drill that practices efficient evacuation from the buildings. The school conducts an annual Fire Risk Assessment.
 
Staff are trained in Food Hygiene. These enable safe practices in school and the Kitchen.
 
First Aid
 
In school there are always trained members of staff who volunteer to oversee first aid. There are a number of first aid kits situated around school. When a child is poorly, or has suffered an accident there is a protocol for staff to follow:
  • A trained first aider is consulted
  • The incident is logged in the accident book
  • For head injuries a Head Note is issued
  • If there is any doubt at all a parent is contacted.
 
Springboard policy is that members of staff will not give medicines at all. In the case of a pupil needing medication during the day parents are welcome to come into school to administer correct dosages. For the majority of medicines a dose before and after school is perfectly adequate. Naturally the parents should consult doctors before giving any form of medication.
 
For matters of an intimate nature staff are informed to deal with a child with utmost sensitivity and always to seek guidance from the Headteacher or a Director. In almost all situations the parents will be asked to come into school immediately so that they are part of the decision making process for such matters. In rare circumstances the relevant medical professionals and social care and health professionals will be contacted as a matter of utmost urgency before the parent.
 
 
Site security
 
Springboard provides a secure site, but the site is only as secure as the people who use it. Therefore all people on the site have to adhere to the rules, which govern it. Laxity can cause potential problems to safeguarding. Therefore:
 
Doors should be closed to prevent intrusion but to facilitate smooth exits.
Visitors, volunteers and students only enter through the main entrance.
Children will only be allowed home with adults with parental responsibility or confirmed permission.
Empty classrooms should have closed windows.
Children should never be allowed to leave school alone during school hours, and if collected by an adult notify appropriate member of staff.
 
Should a child leave the school premises without permission then staff have been informed never to chase after a child, but rather to report immediately to the office. Then parents and police will be informed of the circumstances.
 Attendance
Excellent attendance is expected of all children, but when children are unwell parents are expected to confirm absence by telephone immediately. If there is no notification school has a policy of phoning home to ascertain each child’s whereabouts.
 
The school works closely with the Local Education Authority’s Welfare officer whenever a child’s attendance and punctuality causes concern. Attendance rates are reported each term to the LEA, annually to the government and to all parents. Positive measures are in place to encourage children to attend regularly and punctually.
 
Appointments of staff and induction of newly appointed staff and work placements
 
All staff that are appointed to work in school have a criminal records search called a CRB check and List 99.  This search highlights people who have a criminal record or if previous allegations have been made about them. If staff are found to have a criminal record the appointment is reconsidered by the Headteacher and the Directors. The LEA is informed directly by the Criminal Records Bureau.
 
The Headteacher and Directors sit on all appointment panels where the candidates are external applicants. The Headteacher and Director has undertaken the NCSL training on Safer Recruitment
 
Job advert and job descriptions make references to the responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children and the thorough checks required for the job.
 
New staff are inducted into safeguarding practices. Newly appointed staff are assigned a mentor for the induction period. It is the responsibility of the mentors to familiarise new staff with procedures and policy, which affect the health and safety of all at school but especially the children.
 
 Induction of volunteers
 
Volunteers must also have Criminal Records Bureau clearance. For a brief activity, such as a school visit, which does not involve the supervision or close contact of children the school may telephone for a “99” check. For extended contact with children, when children may be left alone with an adult, or when an adult visitor may be in and around the school building a full CRB search will be conducted. The office performs this. Visitors who do not yet have clearance will under no circumstance be left alone with a child or group of children.
 
 
Welcoming visitors
 
It is assumed that visitors with a professional role ie members of the police already have relevant clearance but the office will endeavour to check this before admittance is granted and a note made of anyone entering without clearance. (See also Site Security).
 
 Child Protection Policy
 
The designated adult for Child Protection is Mr. Cross. There is a detailed Child Protection Policy, which is available from the school office with 24 hours notice. It is the Directors duty to ensure the policy is reviewed annually and any deficiencies within the policy addressed immediately. Certain staff have had appropriate child protection training, which is updated at least every three years.
 
The behaviour policy includes a statement on physical restraint. This school follows DfES guidelines 10/98 which asserts that physical restraint may be used if there is the possibility that a child may be about to cause harm to him/ herself or to another. It also asserts that on no occasion should such physical contact be used as a punishment.
 
All allegations of abuse by or complaints of a teacher will be dealt with following the Area Child Protection Committee procedures. A copy of this is available at 24hours notice. For any complaints about the Headteacher the Directors should be contacted directly.
 
The Design of the Curriculum
 
The curriculum deals with safeguarding in two ways. Firstly, the curriculum, in subjects such as Personal, Social and Health Education discusses relevant issues with the children. Topics include such themes as Drugs, Sex and Relationships and Stranger Danger. Children are encouraged to explore and discuss these issues.
 
Secondly, the curriculum is designed so that safety issues within the subject are discussed and safe practices taught, such as using equipment properly in sport and Design IT. At all times there has to be appropriate staffing levels and when the curriculum is out of school appropriate and agreed pupil/adult ratios are maintained. The lead adult always assesses visits as to the level of risk and all trips are finally authorised by the Headteacher.
 
Visiting speakers, with correct clearance are always welcome into school so that can give specialist knowledge to the children.
  
Internet Safety ( see separate anti – cyber bullying policy)
 
Children should be encouraged to use the internet as much as is possible, but at all times in a safe way. Parents are asked each year if they agree to their child using the internet. Pupils must never be left unattended whilst online and teachers should ensure that this does not happen. If teachers know of misuse, either by a teacher or child the issue should be reported to the Headteacher without delay.
 
The  Headteacher has overall responsibility for internet safety. They are also the internet and email manager for school and has direct access to all email addresses and passwords.
 
  
Equal opportunities
 
Within the school prospectus there is a statement for equal opportunities:
 
At Springboard we try to ensure that everyone is treated fairly. All children are given equal access to the school and its curriculum and all at Springboard are considered equal in the learning partnership. When children have special needs we make arrangements to inform parents and design specific programmes”.
 
Children with disabilities must be able to take a full and active part in every lesson and every measure must be taken to ensure this.
 
 
 
Behaviour policy
 
Good behaviour is essential in any community and at Springboard we have high expectations for this. Parents amnd pupils are made aware of the rewards and sanctions available to staff. Although the emphasis is always on the positive there are also times when children have to be disciplined in order to maintain the safety and security of all children.
 
There are numerous rewards available to children:
  • Stickers
  • Showing another teacher good work
  • Coins
  • Certificates
  • Prizes
 
But the sanctions range from:
  • An incremental system of warnings
  • Being removed from the class
  • Loss of playtime
  • Reporting to a senior member of staff
  • A letter home
  • Exclusion
Staff are discouraged from handling children, but when they deem it is safest to do so guidance has been given on safe methods of restraining a child so that they do not harm either themselves or others.
 
Anti Bullying Policy
 
Springboard definition of bullying is: “A systematic and extended victimisation of a person or group, by another or group of others.”
 
The school’s response to this is unequivocal.
 
Adults must be informed immediately and action will take place.
 
Although bullying in this school is rare the school always acts swiftly with a process of investigation, communication and action. Bullies will not be tolerated.
 
There is a more detailed Anti-bullying Policy that is available from the school office at 24 hours notice.
 
  
Racial tolerance
 
 At Springboard we work hard to promote racial equality and harmony by preventing and challenging racism.
 
If anyone ever feels unjustly treated then the school welcomes and values a response.
 
Racism is specifically tackled in the PSHE curricula. The children take part in discussions designed to raise awareness and address prejudices. Visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds work with the children.
  
Photographing and videoing
 
At Springboard we have taken a sensible, balanced approach, which allows parents to photograph and file providing they follow certain guidelines:
 
  • Parents consent to school taking photographs by signing a permission slip at Parents’ Evening or upon entry to school. School photographs that are for use outside of school are anonymous unless specific permission has been received from parents.
 
  • Parents will in the future be asked to sign to say that they have read the document prior to using their camera.
 Whistleblowing 
If members of staff ever have any concerns about people working, paid or unpaid, they have a professional duty to inform the management accordingly. This can be done in writing or verbally but staff should be prepared to discuss issues in the confidence that any such matter will be dealt with sensitively and with the necessary degree of confidentiality. The school follows the Local Education Authority’s guidance on Whistleblowing. A copy of this can be made available at 24 hours notice.

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