Safeguarding and Child Protection:

School Policy:

This webpage contains a summary of key information about safeguarding and child protection at Valley Gardens Middle School, but if you wish to view the full policy, please download a copy from our policy section.

Safeguarding at Valley Gardens Middle School

At Valley Gardens, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. It is the process of protecting children from harm and ensuring they grow up in a safe, effective environment. Our staff are proactive, vigilant, and dedicated to the well-being of every pupil.

Our Approach to Safety

We ensure our premises are secure and that all visitors are fully briefed on our safety policies. From rigorous risk assessments to continuous staff training, we maintain a culture of “it could happen here” to ensure no concern goes unnoticed.

We have a zero-tolerance policy toward bullying, prejudice, and child-on-child abuse. This is supported by our PSHE curriculum, which instills the core values of kindness, resilience, and respect.

Specialized Support & Wellbeing

We understand that children need different levels of support at different times. Our robust pastoral system includes:

  • Student Support Officer: A dedicated point of contact for pupils needing extra guidance.

  • Mental Health First Aid: Staff trained to identify and support students experiencing mental health challenges.

  • External Partnerships: We work closely with North Tyneside Local Authority and Kooth.

Our Safeguarding Team

Mr Hope DSL

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is our Deputy Head, Mr M Hope.

You can contact him with any safeguarding concerns at:

Each of our Heads of Year are also Deputy Safeguarding Leads and trained to the highest possible standards. Parent/carers should consider contacting their child’s Head of Year if they have any concerns and can be confident that any issues will be dealt with in a safe and professional manner.:

      • Miss McElderry- Year 5
      • Mr Poxon – Year 6
      • Mrs Ferguson – Year 7
      • Mr May – Year 8

Our Governing Body includes a Designated Safeguarding Governor who ensures we meet all legal requirements and maintain the highest standards of care.

Police Partnerships

We work in active partnership with Northumbria Police through two key initiatives:

  • Operation Encompass: Provides early intervention for children exposed to domestic abuse. The school receives a confidential notification before the start of the school day if a child has been involved in a domestic incident, allowing us to provide immediate emotional support.

  • Operation Endeavour: A partnership to support children and young people who go missing from home. This ensures that when a child is found, the school is informed so we can support their return to education and check on their wellbeing.

How to Report a Concern

If you are worried about a child’s safety, please use the following routes:

1. Contact the School

Report concerns directly to Mr. Hope (DSL) or your child’s Head of Year. You can also speak to the school office to request an urgent meeting.

2. Contact North Tyneside “Front Door”

If you prefer to speak to the local authority directly, contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH):

3. Concerns Regarding a Staff Member

If your concern involves a member of staff, please contact the Headteacher or the Chair of Governors. You may also contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) via the Front Door number above.

If you believe a child is at risk of immediate harm, always call 999.