Safeguarding

In this section / Our Academy

Horizon’s Specialist Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of our pupils and students, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection Policy which can be accessed below.We actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism and work closely with statutory and voluntary sectors to ensure we fulfil our safeguarding duties across the Trust.

Each Academy has its own 'Safeguarding' information poster which identifies the Academy's Designated Safeguarding Officers, gives a brief overview to staff explaining - "Protecting those in our care from HARM, if you witness or suspect harm, or have any concern, you must ACT IMMEDIATELY" and the safeguarding referral process.

Each Academy's information poster is accessible below along with a copy of the 'Safeguarding for Parents: Information Booklet". This booklet provides information for parents about how the Trust meets its safeguarding and child protection responsibilities, and also provides tips on "how to keep your child safe".

Abbey Hill Academy & Sixth Form

Safeguarding Information Poster for Abbey Hill Academy & Sixth Form
Safeguarding Information Booklets for Parents for Abbey Hill Academy and Abbey Hill Academy Sixth Form

Green Gates Academy

Westlands Academy

Hollis Academy

Mo Mowlam Academy

Safeguarding Information Poster

Child Protection Policy - Horizons Specialist Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, both physical and emotional, of every pupil both inside and outside of the Trust premises. We implement a trust wide preventative approach to managing safeguarding concerns, ensuring that the wellbeing of pupils is at the forefront of all action taken.

This policy sets out a clear and consistent framework for delivering this promise, in line with safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.It will be achieved by:

Creating a culture of safer recruitment by adopting procedures that help deter, reject or identify people who might pose a risk to children.
Teaching pupils through the curriculum what safeguarding means, how to keep safe and recognise behaviour that is unacceptable, including online. Pupils are taught to recognise when they are at risk and how to get help when they need it.
Identifying and making provision for any pupil that has been subject to abuse.
Ensuring that members of the Board of Directors, Principals and staff members understand their responsibilities under safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, are alert to the signs of child abuse and know to refer concerns to the DSL.
Ensuring that the Principals and any new staff members and volunteers are only appointed when all the appropriate checks have been satisfactorily completed.
Children, young people and adults collaborate to develop a school community based on equality, dignity, respect, non-discrimination, and participation through the UNCRC.

Addendum to Child Protection Policy due to the circumstances of Covid 19 - due to the current unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 virus, it is necessary that all Schools and Academies are prepared and have appropriate arrangements in place in relation to the management of any safeguarding or child protection concerns both on and off site during this time. Therefore, we have produced this cover note/addendum to our existing Child Protection Policy to ensure full awareness and understanding of our protocols for managing child protection concerns during this time. Please read in conjunction with the Remote Learning Policy.

Remote Learning Policy - we understand the need to continually deliver high quality education, including during periods of remote learning – whether for an individual pupil or many. We recognise the importance of maintaining high expectations in all areas of school life and ensuring that all pupils have access to the learning resources and support they need to succeed.

E-Safety Policy - as E-Safety is an important aspect of strategic leadership within the Trust, the Chief Executive, Principals and Directors have ultimate responsibility to ensure that the policy and practices are embedded and monitored. This policy, supported by the Trust's Acceptable Use Agreements for staff, Directors, visitors and pupils, is to protect the interests and safety of the whole Horizons Specialist Academy Trust community.

Educate Against Hate - a new website launched by the previous Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, to offer advice to parents, carers, school staff and leaders on practical ways to protect children from extremism and radicalisation.

Operation Encompass - a process by which Key Adults in our academies are informed that a child attending their premises may have been affected by domestic abuse. This will usually mean that a child has been in the household where an incident of domestic abuse has taken place, or has been exposed to domestic abuse. This initiative is in place in all local authority areas covered by Cleveland Police.All HSAT academies are Operation Encompass Academies and we fully support this partnership with Cleveland Police.