Midhurst C of E Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our intention is that children will be safe secure and happy, and enjoy their time as pupils at this school. This means that we have a Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy & Safeguarding Handbook (WSCC) and robust procedures in place. All adults who work or volunteer in school must ensure that they are aware of these procedures. Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare. All adults working with children in our school are required to have a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check -formally known as a Criminal Records Bureau check.

  • Our designated member of staff for child protection is Mr Mark Jefferson (Headteacher)
  • Our deputy designated members of staff for child protection are Mr Scott Ind (Assistant Headteacher) and Mrs Louise Chance (Assistant Headteacher and SENDCo)
  • Our designated governor for child protection and safeguarding is Mr Andy Scott

The Prevent Duty

All schools (and other organisations) have a duty to protect children from radicalisation and extremism.  The Prevent strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself which may not be appropriate for younger children. Through our Christian values, we teach children about tolerance and mutual respect.
The school will make sure that any discussions are suitable for the age and maturity of the children involved.
Click here for further information on the PREVENT strategy.

Online Safety

As part of our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, we have an Online Safety Policy and robust procedures in place to help ensure children’s safety online. This policy includes our acceptable use agreements for all pupils, staff and governors.

Please see links below for documents giving information on various popular Social Media apps as well as general advice for supporting your child to develop safe practices when they are online.

Visit our Online gaming page for more information around keeping your child safe online.

Useful links

  • Childnet: Childnet International is a non-profit organisation working in partnership with others around the world to help make the internet a great and safe place for children. The Childnet website hosts all the online resources detailed below, as well as a number of recommended resources for young people, parents, carers and teachers. www.childnet.com
  • UK Safer Internet Centre: Childnet is part of the European Commission appointed UK Safer Internet Centre. Together with partners the Internet Watch Foundation and the South West Grid for Learning, we raise awareness about internet safety, develop information materials and resources and organise high profile events such as Safer Internet Day. You can access a range of resources from across the UK, Europe and wider afield at www.saferinternet.org.uk/parents.
  • Need help? Information about what to do if a child comes to you for help and advice about how to report online concerns such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content or illegal behaviour. www.childnet.com/parents-help

Information and tools for parents and carers

  • Common Sense Media: A US non-profit organisation that provides independent reviews, age ratings and other information about movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites, books and music for families and children. www.commonsensemedia.org
  • NetAware: NSPCC and O2 have created a guide with information and advice for parents and carers on the most popular social networks and interactive apps and games used by children and young people. The information is also available in an app for Apple and Android devices. www.net-aware.org.uk
  • Parents’ Guide to Technology: The UK Safer Internet Centre has created this guide to answer commonly asked questions and introduce some of the most popular devices used by children, highlighting the safety tools available and empowering parents with the knowledge they need to support their children to use these technologies safely and responsibly. www.saferinternet.org.uk/parent-tech
  • Safety Tools on Social Networks and Other Online Services: Information and advice on the safety tools, age requirements and terms and conditions for a variety of online services popular with young people. www.saferinternet.org.uk/safety-tools
  • Internet matters: Help for parents on using parental controls and privacy settings. www.internetmatters.org
  • Safety cards for parents: TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat

Online gaming

  • Ask About Games: Information and advice for parents and gamers about the PEGI age rating system for video games and how to play games responsibly and safely. www.askaboutgames.com
  • Childnet’s gaming hot topic: On our website you can access hot topics on a range of issues, including online gaming. The Parents and Carers area also contains key advice, information on reporting and on setting up a family agreement www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers/hot-topics/gaming
  • PEGI: Visit the Pan European Game Information website to find out more about age ratings and content descriptors used on the packaging of games and in app stores when downloading games. www.pegi.info/en/
  • UKIE: The Association for UK interactive entertainment (UKIE) is a trade body for the UK’s games and interactive entertainment industry. They offer advice about how to play games safely and sensibly from the ‘playsafe’ area of their website. www.ukie.info/playsafe

Where to report

  • Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP): A police agency tackling child abuse on the internet. This website includes a unique facility that enables parents and young people to make reports of actual or attempted abuse online. www.ceop.police.uk
  • CEOP’s Think U Know website contains information for children and parents, as well as a link for children to report abuse online. www.thinkuknow.co.uk
  • ParentPort: A website run by the UK’s media regulators, allowing you to report content unsuitable for children found in a programme, advert, film, video game, newspaper/magazine or other forms of media. www.parentport.org.uk