Safeguarding
At Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, your safety and wellbeing is our priority. We uphold high standards of safeguarding for our pupils, staff and community.
We listen to our pupils and take any concerns seriously. All school staff are trained in Keeping Children Safe, as well as receiving ongoing updates and training eg. online safety, Prevent, and County Lines. Children at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie can talk to any staff member regarding a concern and are also made aware of the Safeguarding Team ([email protected])
All staff are trained to look out for signs of abuse or neglect, and are required to report these to the Safeguarding Team. Allegations and concerns are reported proactively and are taken seriously by all. Appropriate action is then taken by the Safeguarding Team.
The procedures which we follow have been laid down by the Kent Area Safeguarding Team and the Governing Body has adopted a Child Protection/Safeguarding Policy in line with this, for the safety of all.
On occasion our concern about a child may mean that we have to consult other agencies. We will ensure that all concerns are discussed with parent/carers first, before any referrals are made, unless we believe that such a move may be contrary to a child’s welfare.
Worried About A Child?
If you are a member of staff at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie with a Safeguarding concern about a child, please log your concern on Bromcom.
If you are a member of staff at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie with a Safeguarding concern about a child, please log your concerns via Bromcom
If you are a parent, family member of member of the public please contact us via email on [email protected]
Or contact the Front Door via:
- Tel: 03000 41 11 11
- Email: [email protected]
In a child is in immediate danger, please call 999.
The Safeguarding Team
Our team is dedicated to supporting you and can be reached during the school day (Term Time)
- Matthew Harris (DSL) – Vice Principal and Head of Attenborough College
- Patrick Lonergan (DDSL) – Deputy Principal
- Alison Bain Simmons (DDSL) – Angelou College
- Casey Miller (DDSL) – Attenborough College
- Michelle Harding (DDSL) – Coe College
- Emma Stubbs (DDSL) – Sixth form
- Nikki Underwood (DDSL) – Assistant Principal Inclusion
- Marion Seymour – Safeguarding governor
The school Safeguarding email address is [email protected]
Further Support
ChildLine (0800 1111) – ChildLine offers one to one counselling over the phone, to talk about anything you are finding difficult. You can register for free to access one to one counselling online if you would prefer. You can also access a mood tracker, tips to support your mood and wellbeing, and other ideas to support with every day challenges such as exam stress, friendship issues and family disputes.
SHOUT – If you are looking for emotional support, or just want to talk to someone, you can text “Kent” or “Medway” to 85258 for 24 hour mental health crisis support via text.
NHS – You can call 111 for non-emergency medical advice and select option 2 for mental health crisis support. This service is for anyone, of any age, who is feeling unsafe due to their mental health.
Fearless (part of Crime Stoppers) – If you are concerned about criminal activity, including criminal or sexual exploitation of other young people, you can report your concerns anonymously on 0800 555111 They also have a website for more information about this service.
CEOP – CEOP run a service for young people to report harmful online communication and/or online abuse here Report to CEOP They also have information about staying safe online.
Sexual Violence and Harassment
- Keeping Children Safe in Education Part 5
- Guidance – Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges
- Brook.org.uk
- UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS)
- The Law and consenting to sex | Health for Teens
- Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings working with children and young people | GOV.UK
- Sexual consent – The Mix
- Abuse in young people’s relationships | Safe lives
- The Hide Out
- Resources to help identify and engage young people at risk of sexual abuse and exploitation | Barnardos
- ItsNotOkay.co.uk
- Friends, relationships and sex | ChildLine
- Preventing Child Sexual Abuse & Keeping Children Safe | NSPCC
- Myths about rape | Rape Crisis
- Stop Abuse Together
Child-on-Child Abuse
Healthy and Respectful Relationships
- Healthy Relationships – Childnet
- Everyone deserves a healthy relationship – is yours? | Love is Respect
- NSPCC Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships
Safeguarding Websites and Links
Other Useful Safeguarding Websites that are available to staff and parents.
- Supporting staff Mental Well Being in School
- Guidance on Teacher Standards
- NSPCC whistle blowing website
- Guidance on RSE and Sex Education statutory guidance
- Medway Safeguarding Children Partnership
- Preventing and tackling bullying 2020
- Anti Bullying Alliance
- Childline website
- Kidscape (anti-bullying site)
- Childline (removing a naked photo online support line)
- Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools
- Sexual Behaviour BROOK Traffic Light System
- NSPCC Harmful Sexual Behaviour Advice
- Understanding Parental Responsibility and the Law surrounding ‘Parenting’
- Barnardos website (support for students)
- National information for children of offenders
- County Lines Information
- The Children Society (CSE and CCE advice)
- Preventing Gang and Youth Violence
- National Domestic Violence Helpline
- Operation Encompass Information (domestic violence)
- Homelessness Reduction Help
- National FGM advice website
- Forced Marriage Guidance
- Prevent and Channel Information (extremism or radicalisation prevention)
- Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools
- Young Minds (Mental Health Support)
- Every Mind Matters
- The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM)
- Healthy Empowering Relationship Advisory Service (HERA) Flyer