Safeguarding

At Chagford Primary School, the safety and well-being of our pupils are our top priority. We are committed to providing a secure, nurturing, and inclusive environment where every child feels safe, valued, and supported.

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. This includes protecting children from harm, promoting their emotional and physical well-being, and creating a culture where they can speak up if they feel unsafe. All staff receive regular safeguarding training, and we work closely with families and external agencies to provide the right support at the right time.

We encourage open communication between school and home. If you have any concerns about a child’s welfare, please speak to a member of our safeguarding team. Together, we can ensure every child in our care can thrive in a safe and supportive environment.

Visitor Guidance

• On arrival, please report to the school office and sign in. ID may be checked if you are unfamiliar to us.

• Wear your red visitor lanyard at all times while on site.

• Remember to sign out when leaving the school.

• Please read our visitors’ guide.

• Mobile phones should not be used on site. If you need to make or take a call, please return to the office where a suitable space can be provided.

Our Safeguarding Policies and Procedures

We have a carefully reviewed and robust Safeguarding Policy and set of procedures in place to keep all our pupils safe.

All staff, including volunteers and supply staff, are required to familiarise themselves with these procedures. Every adult working in the school undergoes rigorous recruitment checks, including Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance, to ensure they are suitable to work with children.

All adults in school are trained and take responsibility for promoting the welfare and safeguarding of every pupil, helping to create a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment.

Sharing Information

Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child's welfare. We will always ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with their parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that this is not in the child's best interests.

Safeguarding Responsibilites

The well-being of each child is the responsibility of the class teacher under the oversight of the Headteacher.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
James Green (Head Teacher)

Tel: 01647 432412

Email: jgreen@chagfordprimary.org.uk

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads

Elizabeth Davidson

Tel: 01837 432412

Email: edavidson@dmatschools.org.uk

Chair of Trustees - Jessica Hardie

Safeguarding Trustee - Philip Sanders

Our Designated Lead for Looked After Children is Mr Green, Headteacher. 

DMAT Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

British Values and Prevent Strategy

The Department for Education has published guidance on promoting British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. All schools have a duty to ‘actively promote’ the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. These values were first set out by the government in the ‘Prevent’ strategy in 2011.

A key part of the plan for education is to ensure children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background. We want every school to promote the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs. This ensures young people understand the importance of respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.

Examples of the understanding and knowledge pupils are expected to learn include:

Our school is part of Operation Encompass.

Operation Encompass is a national police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people who experience Domestic Violence and Abuse and which is in place in every police force in England and Wales.

Children were recognised as victims of domestic abuse in their own right in the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act.

Operation Encompass means that the police will share information with our school about all police attended Domestic Abuse incidents which involve any of our children PRIOR to the start of the next school day.

Operation Encompass will ensure that a member of the school staff, known as a Key Adult, is trained to allow them to liaise with the police and to use the information that has been shared, in confidence, while ensuring that the school is able to make provision for possible difficulties experienced by children, or their families, who have been involved in, or exposed to, a domestic abuse incident.

Devon Safeguarding Children Partnership

The Devon Safeguarding Children Partnership is a multi-agency collaboration between Devon County Council, NHS Devon Integrated Care Board, and Devon & Cornwall Police, alongside education settings and other relevant organisations. Its core purpose is to ensure that children and young people in Devon are safe, protected from harm, and receive the right support at the right time.

The Partnership provides clear policies, procedures, and training to help schools and professionals safeguard effectively. By working together, Devon SCP promotes early help, strengthens family resilience, and coordinates responses to concerns about child welfare.

For more information, visit Devon SCP or contact the school if you have any safeguarding concerns.

Key Contacts:

Operation Encompass website: Operation Encompass

Fear Free Domestic Abuse Service: Fear Free Devon

NSPCC: NSPCC

Childline: Childline

UK Safer Internet Centre: UK Safer Internet