St. Mary’s and Little Oaks are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Mr Finnegan, our Headteacher is the school’s designated Safeguarding Officer with Mrs Woodhouse, Mrs Preece and Mrs Kemp all designated Deputy Safeguarding Leads. Class teachers, in consultation with the KS1 and KS2 Safeguarding Co-ordinators, Deputy Head and Head Teacher are all responsible for pastoral care.

"This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff, volunteers and parents to share this commitment.

The designated persons for Child Protection are: 

Mr Finnegan, Mrs Woodhouse, Mrs Preece and Mrs Kemp."

MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub)

Warwickshire MASH is a team made of different agencies and partners working together to keep children and young people safeguarded from harm, receiving the services they need at the right time, effectively and efficiently. If you have a safeguarding concern about a child or young person please call the MASH 01926 414144. For more information please visit their website by clicking the icon below.

Taking Care Project

At St. Mary's Catholic Primary School, we deliver the Taking Care project which aims to improve the safety and well-being of children in Warwickshire by teaching them to keep themselves safer in a variety of situations.

Protective Behaviours (PB’s) is a safety awareness and resilience building programme which helps children and adults to recognise any situation where they feel worried or unsafe, such as feeling stressed, bullied or threatened and explores practical ways to keep safe. Protective Behaviours also looks at identifying support networks for times when we need someone to listen and help.

Protective Behaviours is based on two key messages:

• We all have the Right to Feel Safe all of the Time
• We can talk with Someone About Anything, even if it feels awful or small  

Further information and a national practice sharing forum can also be found at PB People:

Feeling Safe, Feeling Secure

Under the Education Act 2002 (Section 175), schools must make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Parent and carers should know that the law (Children Act 2006) requires all school staff to pass on information which gives rise to a concern about a child’s welfare. This includes risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

Generally, the staff will seek  to discuss any concerns with parents and carers, and where possible, seek their consent to a referral to Social Care. This will only be done where such discussion will not place the child at increased risk of significant harm. Schools will seek advice form Social Care when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Occasionally, concerns are passed on which are later shown to be unfounded. Parents and carers will appreciate that the designated person for child protection was carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and acting in the best interests of all children.    

Anti Bullying Week

We hold a special Anti Bullying Week Assembly whereby our local police force come into school to talk to the children. The children receive reinforcement messages concerning cyber bullying and online safety. In Anti-Bullying week teachers remind the pupils about our school's Anti- Bullying mantra: SEE IT , SAY IT , STOP IT, which is key to our work in this area.

“See It, Say It, Stop It”

Our safeguarding posters around the school building

This is our St. Mary’s “Safeguarding Message” and pupils and parents are encouraged to learn it. Our School Council chose these two vibrant posters to display in their class rooms and communal areas. The message is clear and concise to all our pupils.

“Is My Fun, Fun for Everyone? – Stop & Think!”

These posters are also displayed around the school building. They give a strong message to our pupils to stop and think about behaviour and to report it if they are feeling unhappy or uncomfortable in any way.

Rainbows (Counselling Service)

St. Mary’s runs a Rainbow’s intervention to support children who have experienced a death, divorce or other painful transition in their family. The programme is run by trained school counsellors and gives participants an understanding of their new family unit, it assists them in building self-esteem; and directs them towards a healthy acceptance of the changes that have taken place in their lives. If a parent has any concerns or feels that this group would be of benefit to their child, please don't hesitate to speak to the Headteacher.

Child Safeguarding & Welfare Links:

• Action for Children
• BullyingUK
• Childline
• Department for Education
• NSPCC