Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) Confirmation Statement

At Tickhill St Mary’s, the safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children in line with the statutory guidance set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2023.

Our school has robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place, which are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure the highest standards of child protection. These policies are available to view on this page of our website or in the policies section.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and teacher for looked after children is Mrs Kendrew-Jones, supported by our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs), Mrs Over and Mrs Kabesh, who work together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our pupils. You can contact them via the school office: office@tickhillstmary.co.uk

The nominated governor for safeguarding and looked after children is Mrs Hosker.

Our Local Context

Safeguarding is central to our mission of nurturing every child to experience “life in all its fullness” (John 10:10). We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where all children can thrive.

Our safeguarding priorities and curriculum reflect the specific risks identified within our community, including:

Online Safety: We equip children with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely, understand online risks, and know how to seek support if needed.

Domestic Violence and Healthy Relationships: Recognising the profound impact domestic violence can have on children, we teach pupils about healthy relationships, emotional resilience, and provide support to those affected.

Bullying, including Online Bullying: We foster a strong anti-bullying culture, addressing all forms of bullying promptly and effectively, and encouraging children to speak out and seek help.

Parental Mental Health and Wellbeing: We understand that parental mental health challenges can significantly affect children’s welfare, including their attendance and punctuality at school. When parents or carers experience difficulties with their mental wellbeing, it can create instability and stress within the home environment, which may lead to irregular attendance or lateness. We work closely with families and external agencies to provide support and early intervention, aiming to minimise the impact on children’s education and ensure they have the best chance to succeed.

Prevent Strategy

At Tickhill St Mary’s, we are fully committed to safeguarding all our children and promoting their welfare, including protecting them from the risks of radicalisation and extremism. As part of our safeguarding responsibilities, we implement the Prevent strategy in line with statutory guidance to identify and support children who may be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism or extremist behaviours.

Our staff are trained to recognise the signs of radicalisation and understand the importance of early intervention. We work closely with parents, carers, and external agencies to provide a safe and supportive environment where children can develop resilience against extremist influences.

Prevent awareness is embedded within our curriculum and pastoral care, ensuring that children learn about British values, respect for diversity, and the importance of tolerance and mutual understanding. We take all concerns seriously and have clear procedures in place to report and respond to any safeguarding issues related to radicalisation.

Through vigilance, education, and partnership, Tickhill St Mary’s strives to keep every child safe and help them flourish in a secure and inclusive community.