Safeguarding

All staff see their role in Safeguarding and Child Protection as a priority at Cranbrook School.

Safeguarding is the proactive stance which aims to protect children from abuse or harm, and Child Protection is the reactive stance taken to support pupils whom the school suspects may be in need of protection.  All staff at Cranbrook School, both academic and support staff, have been DBS checked and receive regular safeguarding training.  All visitors to the school’s campus sign in at Barham Reception and receive Visitor badges for the duration of their stay.  Staff are expected to challenge visitors who do not wear such a badge.  All staff and pupils that use the school’s computers sign the school’s Acceptable Use policy.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead, DSL, is David Carney, Deputy Head, carneyd@cranbrook.kent.sch.uk, tel: 01580 711 800 and the team of DSLs includes:

Mrs Kirstie Burnett: Assistant Head of Boarding/Head of House – Scott: Tel: 01580 711 800, ext 311 burnettk@cranbrook.kent.sch.uk

Mrs Delyth Davies: SENCO: Tel: 01580 711 800, ext 248 daviesd@cranbrook.kent.sch.uk

Mrs Toni Harris: Mental Health and PSHE Lead/Teacher of Philosophy and Ethics and Psychology: Tel: 01580 711 800, ext 221 harrist@cranbrook.kent.sch.uk

Mrs Claire Pack: Assistant Head of Boarding & Head of House – Blubery: Tel: 01580 711 800, packc@cranbrook.kent.sch.uk

Mr Chris Johnson: Assistant Head and Head of Key Stage 4 – Online Safety Tel: 01580 711864 JohnsonC@cranbrook.kent.sch.uk

For more information please view the School’s Safeguarding and Anti-Bullying Policies in the policies section.

All staff and students receive online safety training to raise awareness of the new challenges relating to the internet with the aim to reduce its misuse, including social media sites and to minimise incidents of cyberbullying and its effects.  Staff receive training to raise awareness of the Prevent strategy with an aim to reduce the risk of radicalisation, and the ideological challenge of terrorism.  Staff are also made aware of the risks relating to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Peer on Peer Abuse as well as any other current issues identified locally and nationally.

Education on issues associated with safeguarding and child protection occurs in the PSHE (personal, social and health education) programme, tutorials and the House system, the assembly programme, debating societies, guest speakers and generally in the curriculum (particularly in religious studies, philosophy and ethics, the social aspects of geography, history, science, technology, languages and classics).

Regular fora are offered to parents, usually via the CSPA, to offer training on matters relating to safeguarding, awareness of the risks involved in alcohol and drugs – both illegal and illicit, online safety, sex and relationships, mindfulness and more.