Safeguarding
The Safeguarding Team
Our team is dedicated to supporting you and can be reached during the school day (Term Time)
Aimee Acton (Lead DSL)
Senior Deputy Headteacher:
Safeguarding, Attendance & Behaviour
Kelly Ala
Safeguarding & Attendance Leader
01732 353544 Ext. 248
Natalie Nicholson
Safeguarding & Attendance Leader
01732 353544 Ext. 273
Emma Pedder
Safeguarding & Attendance Leader
01732 353544 Ext. 235
Nikki Underwood
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Matthew Wright
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Marion Seymour
Safeguarding Governor
The school Safeguarding email address is HCSSafeguarding@tonbridgefederation.co.uk
At Hugh Christie School, your safety and wellbeing is our priority. We uphold high standards of safeguarding for our pupils, staff and community.
We listen to our pupils and take any concerns seriously. All school staff are trained in Keeping Children Safe, as well as receiving ongoing updates and training eg. online safety, Prevent, and County Lines. Children at Hugh Christie can talk to any staff member regarding a concern and are also made aware of the Safeguarding Team (HCSSafeguarding@tonbridgefederation.co.uk)
All staff are trained to look out for signs of abuse or neglect, and are required to report these to the Safeguarding Team. Allegations and concerns are reported proactively and are taken seriously by all. Appropriate action is then taken by the Safeguarding Team.
The procedures which we follow have been laid down by the Kent Area Safeguarding Team and the Governing Body has adopted a Child Protection/Safeguarding Policy in line with this, for the safety of all.
On occasion our concern about a child may mean that we have to consult other agencies. We will ensure that all concerns are discussed with parent/carers first, before any referrals are made, unless we believe that such a move may be contrary to a child’s welfare.
Any concern will be recorded and acted upon in line with the agreed policy.
The Governing Body also has a designated safeguarding member. This is Marion Seymour who can be contacted via the Clerk to the Governors in the event you wish to raise concerns about the school’s safeguarding procedures or polices.
Copies of all the school’s safeguarding policies are available to download here:
Worried About A Child?
If you are a member of staff at Hugh Christie with a Safeguarding concern about a child, please follow this link:
Safeguarding Report for Hugh Christie School (edukeyapp.com)
If you are a parent, family member of member of the public please contact us via email on HCSSafeguarding@tonbridgefederation.co.uk
During half terms and school holidays, the safeguarding email will be monitored occasionally, excluding weekends and bank holidays.
This means that if you choose to email us, we may not see your email on the same day. We will ensure any emails sent to this account will be followed up when we return to school.
Or contact the Front Door via:
Tel: 03000 41 11 11
Email: Frontdoor@kent.gov.uk
In a child is in immediate danger, please call 999.
Further Support
ChildLine – 0800 1111
ChildLine offers one to one counselling over the phone, to talk about anything you are finding difficult. You can register for free to access one to one counselling online if you would prefer. You can also access a mood tracker, tips to support your mood and wellbeing, and other ideas to support with every day challenges such as exam stress, friendship issues and family disputes.
If you are looking for emotional support, or just want to talk to someone, you can text “Kent” or “Medway” to 85258 for 24 hour mental health crisis support via text.
NHS
You can call 111 for non-emergency medical advice and select option 2 for mental health crisis support. This service is for anyone, of any age, who is feeling unsafe due to their mental health.
Fearless (part of Crime Stoppers)
If you are concerned about criminal activity, including criminal or sexual exploitation of other young people, you can report your concerns anonymously on 0800 555111 They also have a website for more information about this service.
CEOP run a service for young people to report harmful online communication and/or online abuse here Report to CEOP They also have information about staying safe online.
