Student Friendly Safeguarding Policy
Feeling Safe and Happy at Winterstoke Hundred Academy
At Winterstoke Hundred Academy, we want you to feel safe, looked after, and happy both in school and outside of it. If something is worrying you, or if you feel uncomfortable,
please tell us. Sometimes we don’t always know if something bad is happening, so we need you to speak up.
Remember – you do NOT have to keep your worries a secret!
What is This Policy?
Our school has a Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy for staff, families, and Trustees. This student-friendly version is written for you – our students – to make it easier to understand. This is a simplified version of the main policy, which is longer and more detailed, but it includes everything that’s important for you to know.
What Is It For?
This policy is here to help you understand what might be a problem and where you can get
help and support. It’s really important that you know who you can talk to if something is worrying you. It’s also important to understand why you might need to talk to someone about your concerns.
What is a DSL?
You may have heard the term DSL, but what does it mean? DSL stands for Designated Safeguarding Lead. This is the person in our school who has the responsibility for keeping you safe. All school staff have a duty to tell the DSL if they are worried about your safety or well-being.
Our staff are trained to keep children and young people safe, and safeguarding is their most important job. The DSL works with a safeguarding team, and you can talk to anyone in this team if you are worried about something.
The Safeguarding Team at Winterstoke Hundred Academy includes:
- DSL – Mrs Campbell
- DDSL’s – Mrs Lock, Mrs Frost, Mrs Dolling, Mr Papworth, Mrs Robinson, Mrs Metcalf, Ms Kelly, Ms Downing-Sterne
Safeguarding Team: Everyone is responsible for safeguarding who works in the school!
The Four Main Areas of Child Protection
- Physical Abuse: Hitting, smacking, shaking, kicking, pushing, biting, or any other kind of physical harm.
- Sexual Abuse: This doesn’t always mean actual physical touch. It could be making you watch sexual things, taking or sharing nude photos, or encouraging you to do something sexual that makes you feel uncomfortable.
- Neglect: This happens when someone doesn’t provide you with enough food, a warm and safe home, or the clothing you It can also mean not taking you to the doctor or dentist when you need to go. There could be lots of different reasons for neglect, and it’s really important to speak up so we can help.
- Emotional Abuse: When someone makes you feel bad about yourself by saying unkind things, calling you names, or making you feel worthless or sad.
Is Someone Bullying or Hurting You?
Has someone said something or done something to you, or have you seen or heard something that upset or scared you? You must tell someone at school so we can help you.
Has someone touched you in a way you don’t like, such as on your bottom, private parts, chest, or anywhere else? It is never okay for anyone to touch you in a way that makes you uncomfortable. People who do this may lie to you to make you scared and stop you from telling anyone. But you must tell someone at school, and we will make sure you are supported and kept safe.
Has someone offered you something, like a tablet, cigarettes, vapes, or something to eat or drink, and you don’t know what it is? Do NOT eat, drink, or smoke anything that someone tries to give you. Tell someone at school straight away.
Has someone hurt you in any way, such as hitting, kicking, or pushing you? It is never okay for anyone to hurt you or make you feel frightened. You must tell someone at school so we can make sure it stops.
Who Can You Tell?
If you are worried about something or if you see someone else who is in trouble, you can talk to:
- The DSL or any member of the Safeguarding Team
- The Principal
- Your Tutor, Head of House or Teacher
- Any trusted adult at school
How Does Winterstoke Hundred Academy Keep You Safe?
We take your safety very seriously. All staff at our academy are trained to understand how to keep you safe, and there’s always someone you can talk to if you need help. The Principal is here to support all students and families if any concerns arise. We promise to do everything we can to keep you safe and make sure you feel cared for.
What Happens If You Tell Someone About Your Worries?
If you talk to an adult about your worries, they might need to check things with the DSL. If they can, they will handle the situation themselves. Please understand that staff and the DSL just want to help you feel safe and supported. Only people who need to know will be told about what you’ve shared so that you can be looked after properly.
There may be times when the academy needs to involve other agencies, like Children’s Social Care (Social Workers) or the Police, to make sure you are protected. This is because schools can’t handle everything alone, and there are other professionals who are trained to help in these situations.
Although this might sound a little bit scary, remember that Social Workers and Police officers are trained professionals who are excellent at helping children. There are also other agencies, like Youth Workers, Mentors, and Family Support Workers, who can assist you and your family. Don’t worry — the DSL will talk to you and explain everything, and you can always ask them questions if you are unsure about anything.
Date Created: 12.02.2025
Date Adopted: 04.03.2025
Date Reviewed: 23.01.26
Date to be reviewed: Spring Term 2026
