Safeguarding Statement

School Commitment

Ridgeway Primary Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its children by:

Providing a safe environment for them to learn;
Identifying children who are suffering, or likely to suffer significant harm, and taking appropriate action with the aim of making sure that they are kept safe both at home and in the school;

Safeguarding procedures at Ridgeway Primary Academy are underpinned by three key principles:

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: all staff, governors and volunteers play their full part in keeping our children safe and protecting them from abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns
Ridgeway operates a child-centred approach: a clear understanding of the needs, wishes, views and voices of children
All staff, governors and volunteers have a clear understanding regarding abuse and neglect in all forms; including how to identify, respond and report. This also includes knowledge in the process for allegations against professionals.

Reporting Concerns

The school’s Designated Safeguarding Team will deal with any safeguarding concerns you may have as a matter of the highest priority.

The Nominated Link Safeguarding Governor is: Jack Andrea

If you have any concerns that a child is in danger, you should report it to the Staffordshire Children’s Advice Service (SCAS) on 0300 111 8007 or the Out of Hours Number on 0845 6042889. Alternatively, you can ring the police on 999 or 101.

Prevent Duty Statement

On 1 July 2015 the Prevent duty (section 26) of The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 came into force. This duty places the responsibility on local authorities and schools to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. Ridgeway PrimaryAcademy is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. As an Academy we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is as important as safeguarding against any other vulnerability. All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. We believe that children should be given the opportunity to explore diversity and understand Britain as a multi-cultural society; everyone should be treated with respect whatever their race, gender, sexuality, religious belief, special need, or disability. As part of our commitment to safeguarding and child protection we fully support the government’s Prevent Strategy.

Further information regarding how to keep children safe, identifying and preventing abuse and what help is available can also be found on the NSPCC website

Through our comprehensive training programme comprising of frequent safeguarding scenario training sessions (typically, every three weeks), our staff are well equipped to understand and perform their roles and responsibilities as set out in current legislation with regard to safeguarding children.

In accordance with statutory guidance all Ridgeway PrimaryAcademy Staff are fully aware of and are in compliance with the following guidance:

Working together to Safeguard Children 2026(DfE)
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025: statutory guidance for schools and colleagues (DfE)
The Procedures of the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership,

Ridgeway PrimaryAcademy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts within the Academy require enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance in addition to identification and qualification checks.

Further safeguarding information for parents:

The Staffordshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership has a range of advice for parents and carers in relation to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.

Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership

Useful sites for parents/carers:

Online Safety

Mental Health

Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership

Child Sexual Exploitation

Domestic Violence

Drugs

Talk to Frank