Caring for our Pupils

A happy child, who feels secure learns efficiently and well. Children come to school to learn so it is important that we pay attention to the personal needs and well being of each child as they travel through our school.  Providing this support is essential to help and guide each one of our pupils to ensure he or she achieves personal success and makes the most of the many opportunities that we as a school offer.  We pride ourselves on the exceptional care that we give to the needs of our pupils.                                    

Changes in the law, notably the Children’s Act (1989), mean that staff in Schools have a duty to report any concerns that they may have of any child who may be suffering significant harm, particularly as a consequence of possible abuse. It is a Department for Children, Schools and Families requirement that each School in the country nominates a senior member of staff who will have special responsibility for Child Protection.  In Sheffield, this member of staff, known as the Child Protection Liaison Teacher, has been in receipt of training in this area, and can be trusted to deal with all these matters with professional confidentiality. As a School, we have close contacts with the School Health Service, Family and Community Services and the Police, any or all of whom may become involved if abuse is suspected or alleged. The Child Protection Liaison Teacher at St John’s is Miss J. Steward. The Deputy CPLT is Mrs J Needham. 

Child Protection Liaison Officer is Miss Steward, SENDCo.

Deputy Child Protection Liaison Officer is Mrs Needham, Learning Mentor.

The school has a responsibility to collate basic information such as who has parental responsibility for a child, and to pass this information to the relevant agencies if so requested. In the event of an investigation into possible child abuse, the school has a duty to co-operate with the investigating agencies to the best of their ability to promote the welfare of the child. Whilst the school will always attempt to work in partnership with parents and try to ensure that parents are fully informed of, and participate in, any action concerning their child, if there is a conflict of interest, the welfare of the child must be the paramount consideration. Should you wish to discuss child protection and the safety of your child, or indeed, any other topic involving your child, please contact the School.

As part of Mrs Needham role as Learning Mentor,  she deals with child protection issues, provides advice and support to other staff, liaises with the Local Authority and works with other agencies and parents. Additionally, Mrs Needham teaches children PSHE and is known by them as a person they can go and talk to about any issues or problems that they have either at home or at school. 

Pastoral Care

Class teachers are concerned not only with the children’s educational progress but also with their personal and social development. We try to combine high expectations with a sympathetic approach. Sometimes, however, problems do arise and we advise parents of these at an early stage. We hope that you, as parents, will do the same and contact us promptly if you are aware of any problems. A new baby in the family, a death, or some upset at home can cause a child to behave differently at school, just as worries about school work or an argument with a school friend can cause behaviour problems at home.

Safeguarding and Mobile Phones 

As a staff, we do not advocate children having mobile phones. Mobile phones cannot be brought into school by children except under exceptional circumstances,  which will need a letter from a parent explaining why the phone needs to be in school. 

The phone will need to be brought to the school office with the note before your child goes onto the playground. It will need to be picked up at the end of the school day after your child has left the classroom. If a mobile phone has not been handed in and is found by a member of staff, it will be taken to the office and will only be released to the parent of the child. We will not accept any responsibility for phones, which are lost, mislaid or stolen as they should not be in school. 

We accept the appropriate ages given for children to join Facebook and other sites, which is generally thirteen years of age. We strongly urge parents to check their child’s mobile phone regularly. There are many reports in the press and on news media reporting the bullying which can now go on, mostly undetected by adults. We educate children in these matters and teachers are always open to talk to children about things which are concerning them.

Internet Safety

As children become increasingly immersed in the digital world, we believe that children need to learn, from a young age, how to keep themselves safe online. This very important subject is covered in PSHE lessons during the course of the year as well as in computing lessons and Collective Worship These are the main key areas that we discuss with children.   Never give out any personal information such as your full name, address, phone number or school name.  Only use a computer when an adult is nearby.  Tell your parents or your teacher right away if you come across anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or upsets you.  Never send pictures of yourself to a person that you do not know or have not met.  Never arrange to meet someone whom you have met through the internet even if you know them well or they seem really nice.  Never give out your passwords to anyone, even your best friends  Do not fill out forms online without asking permission from your parents or your teacher.  Check with your parents or a teacher prior to downloading anything as it could cause damage to your computer.  We also discuss who they can speak to if you are worried: A parent A friend  A teacher  A trusted adult  Teaching Assistant  Our goal here at St John's is to equip every child with the tools to live a safe and successful life plugged in to the internet. Please visit the links below for further information regarding E-safety This is the Child Exploitation and Online Protection website CEOP. Here you will be able to get more information about internet safety, including cyberbullying, hacking and viruses. You are able to talk to trained advisers and report anything that you are worried about.  Think U know!  gives great advice to keep children safe whilst using the internet http://www.childnet.com Childnet is a great website resource for parents and children on online safety. https://www.internetmatters.org/ Internet Matters is another great site to use - it has advice on cyberbullying, how to talk to your children about internet safety and quick guides to different types of social media such as Instagram and Snapchat. The NSPCC have launched a new video called 'Share Aware,' which helps children understand the importance of not sharing personal information whilst online. The video can be found by clicking on the following; https://youtu.be/lGIEKGJRWEo  Additionally, there is another website which is a really useful guide to the social networks your children may be using  https://www.net-aware.org.uk/ Attached is a link to a website where there is lots of useful information sheets for parents about different games, apps etc that your child might be playing and how to help keep them safe whilst online. https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/wake-up-wednesday/