Every student needs to feel safe so that they can be happy and do their best

Who can you talk to if you are worried about something or you or a friend feels unsafe?

Safeguarding is EVERYONE’s responsibility, so you should be able to speak to any Bedford member of staff. However, there are some members of staff with specific responsibilities:

 

 

 

Assistant Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mrs Ramsden

r.ramsden@bedford.wigan.sch.uk
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (If Mrs Ramsden is not available)

Mrs Moss

Mr McCaffery
Attendance & Safeguarding Officer Mrs Quinn
   
   
EBSA Officer  Mrs Brown

Pastoral Guidance Officers (PGO)

 

 

 

 

Raising Attainment

Year 7 – Ms Mayers

Year 8 – Mrs Wilson

Year 9 – Ms N Smith

Year 10 – Ms Barnes

Year 11 – Ms Armstrong

Mrs Green, Miss Lowe and Miss Marsh
Pastoral Managers

Year 7 – Mr Duffy

Year 8 – Mrs Anders

Year 9 – Ms Abbott

Year 10 – Mrs Johnson

Year 11 – Mr Rowe
Your Form Teacher Your teacher or a member of the support staff

Roles and Responsibilities:

 

All Students All Visitors Staff

Are expected to report any safeguarding concerns to staff or to the Concern@bedford.wigan.sch.uk inbox

All visitors are provided with safeguarding information upon arrival and must adhere to the school’s safeguarding procedures

Follow the Safeguarding Policy

Are taught how to keep themselves safe (PDE, assemblies, form time and other lessons)

Must attach their ID badge to a coloured lanyard:

-Black – School staff

-Yellow – Governors

-Green – DBS checked (logged on SCR)

-Red – DBS not checked 

Listen to students and take their concerns seriously

Are expected to behave in a safe and respectful manner around school and whilst travelling to and from school

  

Report concerns quickly
All students should be alert to any unfamiliar adult and report this asap to a member of staff  

Take appropriate action to keep students safe

If you see or hear something that doesn’t feel right…

What kind of things might make you feel unsafe?

• Being hurt by an adult or another child

• Unkind or sexualised comments

• Bullying or feeling threatened

• Inappropriate online behaviours

• Being touched in a way that you don’t like

• Not being looked after by people at home

• Seeing people you love being hurt

Worried about a friend? Friendship issues?

Has something happened to you or a friend involving an adult or another child?

What should I do if I am worried about something or someone?

Don’t bottle it up! Talk to a member of staff about your concerns. Tell them in your own words why you or another student needs help. They will tell you that they may need to pass the information on to Mrs Ramsden (Designated Safeguarding Lead).

Or…

Talk directly to Mrs Ramsden or your PGO.

The member of staff will listen to you, and together you will discuss the problem and the action that may be taken to support you.

Or…

Email: Concern@bedford.wigan.sch.uk

What will happen if I speak to a member of staff?

When a student tells a member of staff something of concern, the member of staff will:

  • listen to what the student has to say
  • accept what the student says and make sure he/she knows that we take it seriously
  • reassure the student that he/she did the right thing in sharing the information
  • explain to the student what we will do next to offer support
  • record what has been said and inform Mrs Ramsden

Bullying, Online Safety & Mobile Phones:

Students have a safeguarding responsibility to look after themselves and each other.

 

Bullying & Cyberbullying Mobile Phones / Devices

Bullying can include:

  • Persistent name calling or humiliating others
  • Online posting, commenting on or ‘liking’ photos, videos or posts about someone with an intention to hurt or humiliate someone
  • Physical harm
  • Taking others possessions
  • Spreading rumours or starting negative group chats
  • Ignoring someone to make them feel like they’re not wanted
  • Threatening, intimidating or sending nasty messages
  • Revealing personal information about someone without their permission

Targeting someone over and over again in an online game
  • Students must not use their mobiles on the school site
  • Mobiles must be turned off and stored away in Yondr pouches. Mobiles will be confiscated if they are seen, heard or suspected
  • Students MUST NOT use their mobile to take pictures/record/film other children or adults, under any circumstances
  • If you need to call home for any reason, speak to a member of staff. 

Finally here’s some top tips to help keep you safe:

  1. Protect your online reputation: ‘think before you post.’ Content posted online can last forever and could be shared publicly by anyone.
  2. Know where to find help: Understand how to report inappropriate behaviours or contact to websites and service providers. Learn how to use blocking and deleting tools. If something happens that upsets you online, it’s never too late to tell someone.
  3. Don’t give in to pressure: Keep calm and stay in control. Once you’ve posted something. It’s very hard to take it back. Think ‘Would I say this in person?’.
  4. Respect the law: Age restrictions are there for a reason and to protect you. Only use reliable legal services to access music, films and games.
  5. Treat others as you would like to be treated: Never lower yourself to unkind behaviours. If someone is unkind to you online, speak to a trusted adult

Are there any other places I can seek advice?

Childline 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk
NSPCC 0800 1111 www.nspcc.org.uk
Young Minds   www.youngminds.org.uk
Teenage Health Freak   www.teenagehealthfreak.org
The Site 0808 8084994 www.mix.org.uk
Talk to Frank 03001236600 www.talktofrank.com
The Hideout   www.thehideout.org.uk
The Police 101/999  
CEOP – Online Sexual Abuse   www.ceop.police.uk
SHOUT Text “SHOUT” to 85258 for 24/7 mental health support