At Tunstall, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. All members of our school community, including staff, governors, parents, carers, families and pupils, play a vital role in ensuring that children are safe, supported and protected.
As a Church school, our commitment to safeguarding is rooted in our Christian vision and values. We believe that every child is uniquely created and deeply valued by God and therefore deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion. Our Christian ethos underpins all that we do and guides us in creating a nurturing, inclusive and safe environment where every child can flourish academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.
Tunstall recognises its moral and statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. We are committed to providing a caring, positive and secure environment where children feel safe, valued and respected. We encourage pupils to speak openly about any concerns and ensure they know they will be listened to and taken seriously.
We are vigilant to the signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation and follow robust procedures to ensure that children receive timely and effective support, protection and, where necessary, intervention.
Our Safeguarding Principles
- Our Christian vision calls us to love and care for one another, recognising the worth and dignity of every individual.
- Schools are an essential part of the wider safeguarding system and work in partnership with families and external agencies to promote children's welfare.
- Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is a whole-school responsibility and is our paramount concern.
- All children and young people (up to the age of 18) have an equal right to protection, regardless of age, gender, disability, culture, ethnicity, language, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender identity or socio-economic background.
- Every child has the right to be heard, and their wishes, views and feelings will be considered when decisions are made about them.
- All staff understand and maintain safe professional boundaries and adhere to the school's Code of Conduct and associated policies.
- All staff have a responsibility to recognise signs of vulnerability, abuse or neglect and to act promptly on any concerns in accordance with school procedures and statutory guidance.
- We maintain a culture of vigilance where safeguarding concerns are identified, reported and addressed effectively.
We are committed to creating an environment where children feel safe to learn, develop and thrive.
For further information, please refer to our Safeguarding policy
Online safety is an integral part of safeguarding at Tunstall Church of England Primary School. Guided by our Christian vision and values, we are committed to helping every child develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully.
We recognise that the internet and digital technologies play an important role in children's lives and education. Our aim is not simply to restrict access, but to educate and empower pupils to make safe choices online, enabling them to flourish both in school and beyond.
We have robust filtering and monitoring systems in place to help protect pupils from inappropriate or harmful content. Any online safety concerns or incidents are managed in accordance with our Online Safety Policy and safeguarding procedures.
Online safety is taught throughout the curriculum and through dedicated lessons, assemblies and awareness activities. Pupils learn how to:
- Stay safe when using the internet and digital devices.
- Protect their personal information.
- Recognise and report online risks and concerns.
- Communicate respectfully and responsibly online.
- Understand the importance of positive digital citizenship.
We believe that effective online safety education is most successful when schools and families work together. We encourage parents and carers to have regular conversations with their children about online activity, social media, gaming and digital communication.
Technology is a valuable tool for learning and connection. We recognise that simply banning access is neither practical nor effective. Instead, we seek to develop children's understanding so that they can navigate the online world safely, responsibly and with confidence.
The following organisations provide excellent advice, guidance and resources for keeping children safe online:
- CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command) – advice and support for children, young people and parents about staying safe online.
- NSPCC Net Aware – reviews and guidance on apps, games and social media platforms.
- UK Safer Internet Centre – practical advice, resources and reporting mechanisms.
- Parent Zone – expert guidance on digital family life, social media and online safety.
- Internet Matters – advice, guides and parental control support for families.
- National Online Safety – online safety resources and guides for parents and carers.
Parents and carers are encouraged to review privacy settings, parental controls and age restrictions on devices, apps and games, and to maintain open conversations with children about their online experiences.
For further information, please refer to our Online Safety Policy.