Safeguarding within the Curriculum

Pupil safeguarding and the promotion of fundamental British values are a core business of our work at St. Wulstan's R.C. Primary School. Great importance is placed on identifying opportunities in the curriculum for children to learn about safeguarding. Our broad curriculum gives pupils the opportunities to learn about our diverse world and provides them with the knowledge and skills required for personal safeguarding. Our PSHE and RSE curriculum covers all aspects of safeguarding and is taught across the school at an age appropriate level, in class groups, small groups or on a 1:1 basis where appropriate.

We encourage children to think deeply about safeguarding matters and their own physical and mental wellbeing. We value pupils’ questions and give them space to share their own thoughts, ideas and concerns. We give them opportunities across the curriculum to explore values, rights, responsibilities and equal opportunities. This enables our pupils to develop an understanding of moral concepts in ways that impacts positively on safeguarding; promotes British values and prevents radicalisation and extremism.

A number of practical safeguarding opportunities are planned into the curriculum, for example:

• Religious Education lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others

• Each child is asked to nominate an adult in school they can share any worries with at the start of the year

• Online safety lessons and safe use of technology including password security and privacy settings 

• Healthy eating focus in science and technology

• Assembles and Circle Time

• PSHE, RSE and Science curricula

• National Online Safety guides for pupils and parents

• Bikeability training

• Local community representatives to support the curriculum such as PCSOs, Police, Fire Safety etc

• Transition work from pre-school settings to Reception and Year 1 to Year 2, Year 6 to Year 7

• School website, updated regularly for pupils and parents linked to safeguarding and online safety

• Safeguarding newsletters which create talking points with children and families about keeping safe

• Mental wellbeing support on school website

• Significant pastoral casework for pupils and families

• Swimming for Key Stage 2 pupils (water safety)

• Road and rail safety work

• Anti-bullying throughout the year

• School Council learn about different models of democracy and how to ensure we have a safe and productive environment in our school

• Pupil voice groups in all aspects of the curriculum

• Engagement with charities that broaden pupils’ awareness, understanding and worldview

• Outdoor learning opportunities which incorporates being safe in the outdoors

• Stranger awareness

• Visits from health professionals

• Pupil voice and surveys

• Continual challenge of stereotypes/assumptions in all lessons

• Behaviour policy and practise in school

• Mental Health awareness and support

• Fire awareness (including visits from the local fire service)

• Teaching First Aid to pupils

• Nurture provision

• What to do if you are separated from your group (in relation to school visits) 

• Time is taken at the beginning of every new school year to reaffirm school values, expectations and rules for living and learning at St. Wulstan’s. This good start to the year, with everyone clear about their roles and responsibilities, sets the tone for the rest of the year and leads to excellent safeguarding outcomes

• Parents are invited to an online safety (including use of mobile phone) workshop.

• Reporting routes—how and who to talk to

• Protective behaviours

We have developed an open and safe learning environment in which pupils express their views, seek help and help others. The promotion of equality of opportunity and diversity, for pupils and staff, helps prevent any form of direct or indirect discriminatory behaviour. Our children learn to not tolerate any prejudiced behaviour. Our behaviour policy promotes making good choices and exhibiting good learning behaviours. Class times are time for sharing ideas, addressing concerns and promoting important values. 

Assembly times are used to promote personal safeguarding matters and explore themes. For example, we talk about anti- bullying including cyber bullying and British values including how these values are promoted in our multi – faith society. Staff and children are quick to challenge stereotypes and the use of derogatory language in lessons and around school. Our school reflects the diversity of pupils’ experiences and provides pupils with a comprehensive understanding of people and communities beyond their immediate experience. Throughout the curriculum there are planned opportunities to promote all forms of equality and foster greater understanding of and respect for people off all faiths (and those with no faith), races, genders, ages, disability and sexual orientations, through their words, actions and in their influence. Opportunities are created in a variety of subjects to address areas of safeguarding, for example, themes are highlighted through novels in English lessons.

Time is taken at the beginning of every new school year to reaffirm school values, expectations and rules for living and learning at St. Wulstan's R.C. Primary.  This good start to the year, with everyone clear about their roles and responsibilities, sets the tone for the rest of the year and leads to excellent safeguarding outcomes.

Overview of the Safeguarding Curriculum at St. Wulstan's