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Wheatfield Primary School & Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff, governors, volunteers, visitors and external agencies to share this commitment.

Our safeguarding arrangements are informed by the latest statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), Working Together to Safeguard Children and relevant local safeguarding procedures. We take a child-centred approach and work in partnership with families and external agencies to ensure that all children are safe, supported and able to thrive.

Should you have any concerns regarding the welfare or safety of a pupil, please speak to one of our school Designated Safeguarding Leads:

• Mrs Ray - Headteacher
• Mr Smith - Assistant Head & SENDCo
• Mrs Beare - Teacher / SLT
• Miss Leighton - Nurture Assistant

To contact a member of our DSL team, please use the following email address:

safeguarding@wheatfieldschool.org

Information for Parents

If you have concerns that a child you know is at risk of serious harm through abuse or neglect, it is important that you report your worries to the correct agency:

• For information and advice, you can ring the WBC Referral & Assessment Team on 0118 908 8002.
• The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) can be contacted on 0118 974 6141 or LADO@wokingham.gov.uk.
• Our SSB Safeguarding Link is Aman Mangat and can be contacted on amangat1@glfschools.org.
• The NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line can be contacted on 0800 028 0285 or help@nspcc.org.uk.
   

Online Safety

At Wheatfield Primary School & Nursery, we recognise that safeguarding includes protecting children from online risks and harms. Technology plays an important role in children's lives and we are committed to helping pupils learn how to use it safely and responsibly.

Through our curriculum, assemblies and wider safeguarding work, children learn about:

• Staying safe online
• Cyberbullying and respectful online behaviour
• Online relationships and communication
• Privacy and protecting personal information
• Gaming and social media safety
• Misinformation and disinformation
• AI-generated content and manipulated images
• Online exploitation and grooming
• Reporting concerns and seeking help

The school operates appropriate filtering and monitoring systems to safeguard pupils whilst using technology and regularly reviews its online safety procedures in line with national guidance.

Child-on-Child Abuse

We recognise that children can abuse other children and that these incidents should never be dismissed as "banter", "part of growing up" or harmless behaviour.

Child-on-child abuse may include:

• Bullying, including cyberbullying
• Physical abuse
• Prejudice-based incidents, including racism
• Sexual violence and sexual harassment
• Harmful sexual behaviour
• Abuse within intimate personal relationships
• Initiation or hazing-type violence

All reports are taken seriously and dealt with sensitively, proportionately and in accordance with our safeguarding procedures.

Child Exploitation

Child exploitation is a form of abuse that occurs when an individual or group takes advantage of a child for their own benefit. This can include:

• Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
• Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
• County Lines activity
• Online exploitation
• Financial exploitation

Children may be manipulated, coerced or deceived into engaging in activities in exchange for gifts, money, affection, status, accommodation or other perceived benefits.

Technology and social media are increasingly used to target and groom children, and parents should remain vigilant to changes in behaviour, unexplained gifts, secrecy around devices or new relationships.

Female Genital Mutilation

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is illegal and is recognised as a serious form of child abuse. Staff receive training to recognise risk factors and warning signs. Teachers have a statutory duty to report known cases of FGM in girls under the age of 18 directly to the police.

Preventing Radicalisation

Schools have a statutory duty to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. We recognise that protection from radicalisation and extremism is part of our wider safeguarding responsibilities.

At Wheatfield Primary School & Nursery, we promote:

• Fundamental British Values
• Respect, tolerance and mutual understanding
• Critical thinking skills
• Safe and respectful discussion
• Resilience to extremist narratives
• Awareness of online risks relating to radicalisation

Any concerns relating to radicalisation will be reported and managed through established safeguarding procedures.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

We understand that mental health and emotional wellbeing are closely linked to safeguarding. All staff are alert to signs that a child may be experiencing emotional distress, mental health difficulties or challenges at home.

Where concerns arise, we work with children, families and external professionals to ensure appropriate support is put in place as early as possible.