Sir William Borlase's Grammar School

Safeguarding

All Children have the right to be safe. Every member of the school community is responsible for contributing to a positive culture of safeguarding and keeping it at the heart of everything we do; it is the golden thread running through our school priorities. 

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School is committed to ensuring the safety of its whole school community.  Staff, Students, Parents, Governors and visitors must all share this commitment and play their own part in it.

The school is fully committed to the Department for Education's guidance on Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education and follows Buckinghamshire County Council's guidance on Safer Recruitment and Selection in Schools when appointing staff.

 If you are concerned about the safety, wellbeing or behaviour of one of our school community, then contact one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads via their email below or via our designated safeguarding email address safeguarding@swbgs.com

Contact can also be made by calling the school Reception 01628 816500

  • Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility - we all have a duty of care and the welfare of the child is paramount

  • Safeguarding is a broad term that encompasses the range of things done to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of young people on an ongoing, day-to-day basis. 

  • Child protection is part of safeguarding: it is the action we take to protect a child who may be in imminent danger

  • Everyone working at Borlase must be attentive to signs that indicate that a child’s welfare may be at risk.  This may be through one or more of the following: sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse or neglect.  These signs could include changes in: behaviour, appearance, school engagement and attendance, mood, friendships.

  • Everyone working at Borlase must adopt an “it could happen here” mentality and be prepared to raise concerns if we have them.

Safeguarding Team

The school Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Karen Harper.  Deputy DSLs are Ed Goodall (Headteacher), Rachael Holmes (Assistant Headteacher), Healthcare and Wellbeing Lead, Linda Fortnam (KS5), Kirsty Ashby (KS4) and SJ Riggs (KS3). 

The safeguarding governor is Mrs Carole Black. Mrs Kate Burt also supports governor oversight of safeguarding at Borlase.

The safeguarding team at the school work closely with outside agencies and will refer concerns to them where appropriate. However, if you are concerned about the immediate welfare of a child it is always appropriate to make a report yourself. 

  • If you believe a child is in immediate danger of harm or violence, including Female Genital Mutilation, contact the police. 

  • If you are concerned about a child’s home situation, then contact the safeguarding team at the relevant local authorities via the following links:

  • Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Children Partnership link here

  • Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Safeguarding Board link here

  • Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board link here

  • Slough Safeguarding Children link here

Useful links and guidance

The legal framework underpinning safeguarding in schools
Useful sites for Advice and Guidance
  • Bucks Family Information Service - offers free, impartial information to families with children aged 0 to 19 years (or up to 25 years with a special educational need or disability), young people and professionals
  • Parent Info - free website for parents covering a range of issues

Online

General safety

  1. Online Safety Newsletter Secondary February 2024

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