Safeguarding at The Halifax Academy
Safeguarding students is at the heart of everything we do at the Halifax Academy. Safeguarding means:
- protecting children from maltreatment;
- preventing the impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
- ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
- taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes
We all have a duty to safeguard children and all staff and volunteers working in school have regular training and are familiar with the statutory guidance of Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2021). Training is provided on all aspects of safeguarding, including: the signs of abuse; Prevent strategy to protect children from radicalisation and extremism; child sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation.
Our Safeguarding Policy and Whistleblowing Policy can be found on the Policies page.
Our students are taught about ways to keep themselves safe at an age appropriate level. Our curriculum includes a range of safeguarding work, including learning how to stay safe with regard to: anti-bullying, substance misuse, child sexual exploitation, radicalisation and extremism. We work closely with other agencies to support this work.
How to report safeguarding concerns
Our safeguarding team is led by Assistant Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Miss Sammia Nazir. We also have a deputy DSL for phases 1-3; Mrs Sue Keasey and a deputy DSL for phases 3-5; Miss King.
The DSL for The Halifax Academy is Sammia Nazir
07719 527852
The DDSL for Phase 1-3 is Sue Keasey
07783 631192
The DDSL for Phase 3-5 is Tracey King
07809 207245
If you have any concerns about a child at the academy, no matter how trivial they may seem, please raise them with a member of the safeguarding team.
As a school we will not tolerate any form of sexual violence or harassment and have strong procedures in place regarding peer on peer abuse. If you have any concerns of this nature at all please contact the safeguarding team. As further support, the NSPCC run a service for children and young people who have experienced sexual harassment or abuse at school, and for worried adults and professionals that need support and guidance. This bespoke helpline will provide appropriate support and advice to victims including onward action such as contacting the police if they wish to. You can call 0800 136 663 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Should you have any concerns regarding any member of staff or adult working in our academy, please report them to the Headteacher, Mr Perry. Should you have any concerns about Mr Perry, please report them to Dr Phil Shepherd, Chair of Governors, who can be contacted through the school office on 01422 301080.
You can also contact Calderdale’s Multi Agency Screening Team on 01422 393336/392881 if you have concerns about a child being at risk of harm.
Further information is available on the Calderdale Safeguarding Children Board website: www.calderdale-scb.org.uk