Safeguarding
Stowmarket High School fully recognises the contribution it can make to protect children and support students in school. There are five main elements to how we work:
- Ensuring we practise safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children.
- Raising awareness of child protection issues and equipping children with the skills needed to keep them safe.
- Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
- Supporting students who have been abused in accordance with his/her agreed child protection plan.
- Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop.
Assistant Headteacher, Designated Safeguarding & PREVENT Lead – Mr Andy McLellan
Online Safety Lead – Mr Andy McLellan
Assistant Headteacher – Mr Stefan Stoneman, Pastoral Care
Assistant Headteacher – Mrs Broxton, Mental Health Lead
If you have a concern about your son or daughter, please contact the Head of Year in the first instance to address the issue. Heads of Year in Year 7 – 11 are Designated Safeguarding Leads and they have been trained to offer support, help and guidance.
Head of Year 7 – Miss Harrigan – email: r.harrigan@stowhigh.com
Head of Year 8 – Mr A McLellan – email: a.mcllellan@stowhigh.com
Head of Year 9 – Mrs Goss – email: n.goss@stowhigh.com
Head of Year 10 – Mrs McLoughlin – email: l.mcloughlin@stowhigh.com
Head of Year 11 – Mrs Rudling – email: z.rudling@stowhigh.com
Alternate DSL Team: Mrs Miall, Mrs Millerchip, Mrs Langley & Mrs Doherty
As a school we accept that:
- All staff are an integral part of the student safeguarding process
- Safeguarding students is an appropriate responsibility for all staff
- Safeguarding students in this school is a responsibility for all staff including volunteer & visitors
- All staff in the school are aware of the possibility that a student is at risk of suffering harm, and know how to report concerns or suspicion
- All staff are given appropriate safeguarding training
Early Help Support
At Stowmarket High School we take our safeguarding responsibilities very seriously. Please refer to the school child protection and safeguarding policy shown below to understand how we keep children and young people safe.
CLICK HERE for the Safeguarding Policy
CLICK HERE for the Prevent Action Plan for Stowmarket High School
In addition to this policy we use the following national policies and frameworks:
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023
Working Together to Safeguard Children
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children–2
We understand families may need extra support during difficult times and recognise the need to support those families through offering early help.
Click HERE for information on support available
If you are concerned about a child at Stowmarket High School please email a.mclellan@stowhigh.com or or call us on 01449 613541.
If you are contacting us out of hours (before 8:30am and after 4:00pm) you can contact the NSPCC helpline for support and advice for free – call on 0808 800 5000 or contact NSPCC online.
Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 any time to get support themselves. Support is available Monday – Friday 7.30am – 3.30pm and on Saturday’s and Sunday’s between 9am – 3.30am.
Online Safety
UK Safer Internet Centre – keeping children happy and safe online during COVID-19
Thinkuknow – education programme from NCA-CECIP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline
CEOP – offers advice on making a report about online abuse. Support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online
Eating Disorders. BEAT Provides helplines, online support and a network of UK-wide self-help groups to help adults and young people in the UK beat eating disorders. Visit www.b-eat.co.uk for more information or contact their youthline (under 18s) 0808 801 0711 or their student line (all students) 0808 801 0811.
Gender Issues. Mermaids. This organisation work to reduce isolation and loneliness for parents and young people dealing with gender issues. Visit https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/ more information.
LGBTQ+. Stonewall. A charity which provides information and support for LGBTQ+ communities and their allies. Visit www.stonewall.org.uk for more information.
SelfharmUK. Part of Youthscape. SelfharmUK is a project dedicated to supporting young people impacted by self-harm, providing a safe space to talk, ask any questions and be honest about what’s going on in your life. Visit www.selfharm.co.uk for more information.
Information about self-harm: https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/feelings-and-symptoms/self-harm/
Sexual Health and Wellbeing
Brook. Free & confidential sexual health & well-being service. Visit https://www.brook.org.uk for more information.
National Support Networks
7cups. Free, anonymous, and confidential online chat with trained listening, online therapists and counsellors. Visit https://www.7cups.com/ for more information.
Childline. Get support for a wide range of issues affecting young people. Visit www.childline.org.uk or contact them on 0800 1111 or email them through the website.
There is also a ‘For Me’ app: https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/for-me/ From advice to message boards, you can now get everything you need from Childline in an app. It’s quick, easy and you can lock it with a PIN. By downloading the app, you’re in control. You can talk to us whenever – and wherever – you need to.
Mind – https://www.mind.org.uk/ ‘Mind’ provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Samaritans. This organisation offers confidential emotional support for anyone in the UK and Ireland. The service is available 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. Visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for more information. Call free any time on 116 123 or email at jo@samaritans.org (response time 24 hours)
Sane is a leading UK mental health charity improving quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness – including family friends and carers. The support hotline is available after school 4.30pm-10.30pm. Visit http://www.sane.org.uk/ for more information.
SHOUT for support in a crisis – This is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.
Text Shout to 85258. Visit https://www.giveusashout.org/ for more information.
Students Against Depression offers information and resources validated by health professionals, alongside tips and advice from students who have experienced it all themselves.
