Safeguarding

Here at Sele First School we are dedicated to ensuring that all pupils are kept safe at all times.

If you have any concerns at all and wish to talk to someone, please come into school to talk with our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Brooke Phillips.

Rebecca McVittie (Head Teacher), Judith Elliott (SENDCo), Julie Hamilton (Assistant Head / Reception teacher),  Steph Milburn (Assistant Head / Y1 teacher), Karen Hepples (School Business Manager) and Sophie Brown (Deputy Play Leader) are also trained DSLs and can be contacted if Brooke Phillips is not available.

You can see you DSL trained staff by clicking on the link below.

DSL Notice 2024

Our SENDCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) is Judith Elliott, our Assistant SENDCo is Nina Blanchet.

All the above DSL and SEND staff can be contacted on 01434 602808 or by emailing admin@sele.northumberland.sch.uk.

Here are links to our key Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies and related documents.  Policies can also be found in the ‘Policies and Documents’ section

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 2024-2025

SEND Report March 2024Young Carers Policy 2024SEND Policy 2024Use of Electronic Devices in EY Settings Policy 2024

Anti – Bullying Policy January 2018

British Values Policy 2018

Prevent Duty

“The way we educate our young people shapes the society we will live in. British schools have long been dedicated to encouraging students to think for themselves and to think about others, a blend of critical thinking and empathy that is the best inoculation against radicalism and extremism.”

Russell Hobby NAHT General Secretary 06/11

What is Prevent?

Since 1st July 2015 all schools have had a duty to protect all children and young adults from the risk of Radicalisation and Extremism, under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. This act requires schools to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This duty is known as the Prevent Duty.

What do schools do?

In order for schools to fulfil the Prevent duty, it is essential that staff are able to identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, and know what to do when they are identified. At Sele First School every staff member has been trained on the Prevent Duty and we have regular annual training to ensure we are keeping our pupils safe. At Sele First School, we also build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling our pupils to challenge extremist views.

Sele First School recognises that it has a duty under  the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, , in the exercise of its functions, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

Access our Prevent Risk Assessment here:

What we will do.

Schools have clear procedures in place for protecting children at risk of radicalisation. At Sele First School,  our procedures are set out in our Child Protection and Safeguarding policy. General safeguarding principles apply to keeping children safe from the risk of radicalisation as set out in the relevant statutory guidance, Working together to safeguard children and Keeping children safe in education. If necessary school will make a referral to the Channel programme. Channel is a programme which focuses on providing support at an early stage to people who are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. It provides a mechanism for schools to make referrals if they are concerned that an individual might be vulnerable to radicalisation.

As a school, we have a duty of care for our pupils and staff to safeguard them from the risk of being drawn into terrorism.  Our PREVENT statement makes our commitment to this duty clear.  We expect everyone in school (including visitors, volunteers and speakers) to uphold our PREVENT duty.

Provision –provide a curriculum which includes a global and anti-racist approach to each topic enhanced by outstanding social, moral, spiritual and cultural opportunities and the promotion of fundamental British Values through our 3Rs outlined below.

Respect, Responsibility and Reliability are key elements of our school community ensuring that children and adults feel safe and confident to make informed choices with regard to their behaviour and actions.

E-Safety (Online Safety) is central to our learning in a 21 century classroom and pupils are kept safe and they are taught how to keep themselves safe online,

Values – Our Christian ethos and Christian values underpin all we do at SELEfirst and support our active promotion of the British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

Elected pupil groups ensure that pupils have an active voice in school and help to shape the future of policy and practice through discussion, debate and a fair democratic purpose.

No – We say no to any form of extremism including hurtful language, exclusion of any pupils or groups (by other pupils or staff) and all forms of aggressive behaviour.  Our ethos of care ensures swift action and targeted support for all members of our school.

Training – Staff are trained to identify risks and the processes involved in radicalisation.  They are aware of early intervention and are committed to challenge any form of extremist behaviour.  They know the routes for referral and all staff have completed the CHANNEL Awareness module.