Safety in School

Creating a safe environment and safeguarding the emotional, mental and physical health of our community is a priority for us. We also recognise that in recent years the risks for young people across the country have increased and we need to be responsive to these changes.

These risks include an increase in knife crime, in young people vaping, the prevalence of illicit vapes containing lead, doctored vapes for cannabis use, substance abuse, criminal exploitation, bullying, harassment and child on child abuse.

As part of our safeguarding procedures and routines, students hand in any bags, coats, mobile phones and belongings upon arrival. Hoodies are classed as outdoor wear and like coats need to be handed in.

In line with most schools, the use of mobile phones during school hours is completely forbidden. These items will be stored in a designated and locked space.

All equipment that students need is provided by school reducing the need to bring any bags or belongings in. Any student bringing in a phone, bag, coat, hoody or belongings does so at their own risk and while appropriate care is taken to store them securely the school is not liable for any loss or damage.

Students are required to wear the correct uniform which consists of a black McKee jumper a provided by school, a white polo shirt or t-shirt, and a choice of black trousers, black leggings, black skirt.

We also provide students with a black microfleece. The insistence on uniform is an important part of this wraparound safeguarding of our safe environment. Where families are struggling for any reason to provide uniform items, school can assist, and families can contact their child’s keyworker or our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Amanda Brindle.

By asking students to store their coats and belongings and insisting on the wearing of our uniform we are minimising risk to all students and staff as much as possible. We may also “wand” students to ensure they are not carrying banned or unsafe items and to search them if we have reason to believe they have them on their person. This includes vapes and cigarettes.

We follow the government guidance on screening, searching and confiscation in schools. Vapes are banned items and it is illegal for under 18s to buy vapes. Therefore, we can only return a vape to parents or carers.

Where students do not comply with our processes this will be dealt with as both a safeguarding and behaviour issue. In the first instance we will hope to work with you as home to support the student in making a safer choice and engaging with our systems.

Where a student continues to struggle to work within these limits we will put in additional support. This ranges from reflective time in BASE, coaching conversations with a keyworker, home and school joined up working, a period on 1:1 high support.

This measure of handing in coats, hoodies, bags and belongings is one of many we take to ensure our students feel physically and emotionally safe within our setting and we build good relationships with students to help them work with us on this important issue.