Safeguarding

Details of our safeguarding policies

Child Protection

The Children Law (Guernsey and Alderney) 2008 states that all States Departments have a duty to work together and share information to ensure that children and young people get the services they require. This is also essential to protect children and young people from suffering harm, abuse or neglect and to prevent them from offending. Further information is available at http://childrenlaw.gg.

All Island schools are required to comply with the Interagency Guidelines on Child Protection. These may be located at http://childrenlaw.gg/professionals.html.  The guidelines emphasise that everyone has an important part to play in preventing the abuse of children, and in responding to situations where they think that a child may be suffering, or at risk of suffering from serious harm. Therefore if we have concerns about a child or believe that a child has suffered or is likely to suffer serious harm then the school will contact Health and Social Services Department, Assessment and Intervention Team to determine whether a referral should be made.

Any concerns raised by members of staff in the school will be reported to the Headteacher and School Child Protection Officer, who will make contact with HSSD colleagues as appropriate.

Further information on Child Protection can be found at https://www.gov.gg/article/120912/Child-Protection. For information on the Islands Child Protection Committee please visit http://www.icpc.gg/.


Access to School Nurse

The School Nurse is available for help and advice on health issues for all students, parents and teachers. She can be contacted at Lukis House Tel. No: 725241 or via school.

A health review is offered to Year 7 students and further checks such as vision, hearing, weight, are all available on request throughout the secondary school years. The teenage immunisation booster is now given in school by the School Nurses and will be given in Year 9. Parents will be notified when this will be.

The School Nurse holds a confidential ‘Drop-in clinic’ each week and will see students on their own.


Behaviour Management

The School ethos is one of praise and reward for students. We have many ways of recognising good work, behaviour or effort. Students may gain merit cards, merit certificates and other awards. We hold regular Rewards Assemblies where students are praised for their constant hard work, punctuality and regular attendance. We also celebrate student success in whole school and year group assemblies, as well as awarding special prizes at our annual prize giving ceremony.

All students are given many opportunities to take responsibility and demonstrate commitment to the school community including school representation. Year 11 students undertake managerial roles in the school, have the chance to become Librarians, Sports Captains and Prefects.

We set high standards in behaviour and parental support is essential in this. When children overstep the limits then sanctions such as reprimand, extra work and detentions are given. If the behaviour of a student causes particular concern we invite parents to discuss the problem with us. We inform parents if a student is sent out of a lesson on a regular basis. Parents are informed, too, of any after school detention, should one be given, because parents may have to make their own transport arrangements for the student to travel home afterwards. Exclusion from school is a serious matter and is only used as a last resort or for extreme misbehaviour.


Online Safety

Parents should be aware of the serious potential problems caused by inappropriate use of social networking sites. Age restrictions apply e.g. Facebook has a lower age limit of 13 and therefore is not available to Year 7.

Police may be involved where threats or disputes between students are aired publicly.

Parents are politely reminded of the need for responsible supervision of access to the Internet at home, bearing in mind that such access may also be available at school.

Parents should be aware that students may NOT make images or videos of any school activity involving students or staff without specific permission of a member of staff.

Link to eSafety presentation


First Aid and Medicines

A student who feels unwell or has an accident at school must inform a member of staff. If we consider that the student ought to be sent home or to hospital we will contact parents. Please ensure that we always have a telephone number for emergency contact. If a student requires medication during the school day, parents should make arrangements to come into school or for the student to return home at lunchtime for administration of the medication.

Students should not carry prescribed medication at school. If this is unavoidable, then the smallest amount should be brought to school preferably by the parent with clear instructions for administration. Please ensure such medicines are given to the School Office for safe keeping. Responsibility for taking the medication remains that of the student.

Asthmatic Inhalers / Epipen – It is important we can support your child should they suffer from an episode whilst in school. In order to do this we request all students to supply a named spare inhaler / Epipen to be kept in our medical room; this is in case your child forgets to bring their own to school. Please make sure your child is aware it is their responsibility to carry their inhaler with them especially when participating in sporting activities.


Treatment following Accidents at School

If a student is injured in an accident at school, the Education Department is prepared to pay the cost of doctors’ examination and treatment up to a maximum of £700. Payments made under this scheme are not an admission of legal liability for the accident and payment is subject to confirmation of the accident by the school and the doctor.

The Education Department scheme does not cover the cost of dental treatment.


Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco

In school the PSHCE Co-ordinator is responsible for ensuring delivery of Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Education within the PSHCE curriculum in compliance with policy directives.

There is an agreed policy relating to drug offences in all secondary schools on the Island. Students found in possession of, or using drugs, on school premises must be excluded to allow an action plan to be drawn up. The period of exclusion is at the discretion of the school, which will monitor school work in the interim. If found distributing drugs on school premises, students are likely to be excluded for a substantial period. The Headteacher, Police, Parents and Chief Officer must be notified of any incident as well as any support agencies already involved with the young person.


Pastoral Care and Welfare

We allocate students to a form with a form tutor, who has responsibility for the registration and pastoral care of the tutor group. The Form Tutor is the first point of contact for parents who wish to send a message to school other than the straightforward absence. Each year group has a Head of Year who supports the Form Tutor. Tutorial work includes timetabled lessons in Personal, Social, Citizenship and Health Education (PSCHE) some aspects of which are taught by the form tutor. Sex education forms part of the programme of study for PSCHE, normally being delivered or supported by Complementary Health Educators, specialised personnel from the Education Department.