Safeguarding
Mrs Catherine Oliver is our Designated Safeguarding lead
Mr Anthony Tierney is the deputy Designated Safeguarding lead
Karen Chetwood is our named Safeguarding governor
At Burbage, we strongly believe in the principles set out in our safeguarding statement (see below). Our staff are vigilant, professionally curious and genuinely care about the safety and wellbeing of our children.
Every day, our staff go above and beyond to maintain children's safety and wellbeing and always make decisions that they believe to be in children's best interests.
Our staff are keen to extend their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues: we promote a culture where staff ask if they are unsure of or concerned about something (even if it may seem only a minor issue); staff regularly hold discussions about children's safety and wellbeing and they strive to do all they can to provide the support and care, children deserve.
Our safeguarding statement
Burbage Primary School Safeguarding Statement
At Burbage Primary School, we want our pupils to grow up as confident, happy young people. We want our school to be a place where everyone feels safe, secure and supported. We want teaching to be effective and engaging, and learning to be enjoyable and fun. We want all our children, regardless of their background or ability, to reach their full potential and to be proud of their work and achievements. We want there to be clear communication between school and home, and for parents to feel fully involved. We value, and want to be valued by, our local community. We are dedicated to working together to achieve this vision for our school. Our safeguarding arrangements are underpinned by four key principles:
- Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: all staff/anyone who has contact with a child or young person, including Governors and volunteers, should play their full part in keeping children safe;
- We will aim to protect children using national, local and school child protection procedures;
- All staff/anyone who has contact with a child or young person, including Governors and volunteers, have a clear understanding regarding abuse and neglect in all forms; including how to identify, respond and report. This also includes knowledge in the process for allegations against professionals. Staff, Governors and volunteers should feel confident that they can report all matters of safeguarding in the school where the information will be dealt with swiftly and securely, following the correct procedures with the safety and wellbeing of the children in mind at all times;
- We operate a child-centred approach: a clear understanding of the needs, wishes, views and voices of children.
We follow the guidance in:
- ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ (Updated July 2018);
- “Keeping Children Safe in Education” (September 2024);
- “What to do if you are worried a child is being abused: Advice for Practitioners”. (March 2015);
- “Information Sharing: Advice for Practitioners providing Safeguarding Services to Children, Young People, Parents and Carers”. (July 2018);
- “The Prevent Duty Departmental, advice for Schools and child care providers (June 2015);
- Furthermore, we will follow the procedures set out by the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership.
Sometimes, we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies about a pupil’s welfare. We will endeavour to ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with their parents or carers first, unless we have a reason to believe that it is not in the child’s best interests. On some occasions, our concern about a child may mean that we have to consult other agencies even before we contact parents.
Key roles
Our Deputy Head, Mrs Oliver, is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and designated person for Child Protection; should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact her: co@burbage.derbyshire.sch.uk or safeguarding@burbage.derbyshire.sch.uk or please call the school office on 0129822278.
Our Headteacher, Anthony Tierney, is our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Karen Chetwood is our Safeguarding Governor and is also fully trained in this area; she works with Mrs Oliver to check policy documents, practices and procedures linked to safeguarding and child protection.
Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy
Please see below, our current draft version of our safeguarding policy. This policy has been provided by the Embark Federation and has been minuted in our Burbage Primary School Full Governing Body Meeting in September 2026.
embark child protection and safeguarding policy 202627 school level .pdf
Safeguarding at Burbage - overview for parents and carers
EMBEDDED_PDF_{}
Children Missing from Education Policy
children miissing education june 2026 dcc .pdf
Prevent
Prevent is part of the UK's counter-terrorism strategy and aims to safeguard people from being drawn into terrorism or extremist ideologies.
As part of our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, we support the government's Prevent Duty. Prevent forms part of our wider safeguarding responsibilities and aims to protect children from the risk of radicalisation and exposure to extremist views. We work to build pupils' resilience, promote British Values and provide a safe environment where children can discuss concerns openly and develop critical thinking skills. The school follows statutory safeguarding guidance and works with relevant agencies where concerns arise.How our school meets the Prevent Duty
At our school, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to protecting children from all forms of harm, including the risk of radicalisation and extremism.
- Our staff receive regular safeguarding and Prevent training to ensure they can identify concerns and respond appropriately.
- We follow clear safeguarding procedures and take all concerns seriously, working closely with families and relevant agencies when required.
- Through our curriculum, assemblies and wider school experiences, we promote respect, tolerance, inclusion and an understanding of different viewpoints.
- We teach children how to stay safe online and help them develop the skills to recognise and manage potential risks in the digital world.
- We encourage pupils to think critically, ask questions and discuss issues in a safe and supportive environment.
- We work in partnership with safeguarding professionals, local agencies and other organisations to ensure children receive the support they need.