Safeguarding

Here at Castleton, we will:
       
Value strengths in each other;
Work within agreed policies of the school;
Create a happy, caring and safe school;
Encourage children to think for themselves, ask questions and find answers;
Create an environment of trust.

School policies are in place to ensure that all children are safe and safeguarded at Castleton, following Government guidance, "Keeping Children Safe in Education" (January 2022).
(Please click on link to read full guidance)

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024

Child Protection

Our designated staff for child protection are:

• Mrs Gleadhill (Lead DSL)
• Mr Jones (Deputy DSL)
• Mrs Riley (DSL)
• Mrs Vause (DSL)
  
• Mr Newton (DSL)
• Miss Rachel Dodson (Family Support Worker & DSL)
• Miss Pyrah (DSL)
• Mrs Penny (DSL)
• Miss Tompkins (Children's Centre Designated Safeguarding Lead)
• Mrs Bennett (Children's Centre Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead)

Please find our Safeguarding Policy on our 'Policies' page.

Prevent Strategy

What is the Prevent strategy?

• Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes.
• The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including the extreme right wing, violent Islamist groups and other causes.

How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools?

• From July 2015 all schools (as well as other organisations) have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism.
• This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views the same way we protect them from any other harm.
• Importantly, we can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues, at an appropriate level so they better understand how to protect themselves.

What does this mean in practice at Castleton Primary School?

Many of the things we already do in school to help children become positive, happy members of society also contribute to the Prevent strategy. These include:

• Having a strong Aims and Ethos which pervades our school.
• Focusing on core values.
• Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity.
• Challenging prejudices and racist comments.
• Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity.
• Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, as well as British values such as democracy.

We will also protect children from the risk of radicalisation, for example by using filters on the internet to make sure they can’t access extremist and terrorist material, or by vetting visitors who come into school to work with pupils.

Isn’t my child too young to learn about extremism?

The Prevent strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself, which may not be appropriate for younger children. It is also about teaching children values such as tolerance and mutual respect. This is what we will focus on at Castleton Primary School.

The school will make sure any discussions are suitable for the age and maturity of the children involved.

Is extremism really a risk in our area?

Extremism can take many forms, including political, religious and misogynistic extremism. Some of these may be a bigger threat in our area than others.

We will endeavour to give children the skills to protect them from any extremist views they may encounter, now or later in their lives.

Further information

Contact the school - If you have any questions or concerns about the Prevent Strategy and what it means for your child, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

See our policies - You will find more details about radicalisation in our safeguarding policy, available on our website. 

External sources - The following sources may also be useful for further information:

• What is Prevent? Let’s Talk About It 

Key Terms

Extremism – vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values.

Ideology – a set of beliefs

Terrorism – a violent action against people or property, designed to create fear and advance a political, religious or ideological cause

Radicalisation – the process by which a person comes to support extremism and terrorism

Click here to find more information on the Leeds City Council website