Westfield Academy and its Trust Board take safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children very seriously. We've outlined clear procedures for ensuring the safety of students, starting from the recruitment process and continuing through ongoing training and communication with staff, students, and families.

Students are provided with multiple channels to report concerns, whether through speaking with a trusted staff member or using the bullying reporting form. This empowers them to raise issues they may encounter.

Additionally, visitor management protocols are in place to maintain a secure environment, including the requirement to display visitor passes and adhere to specific rules during emergencies like fire alarms or lockdowns.

If you have concerns about the safety of a child, it is important to report them immediately to any member of the Safeguarding Team at Westfield Academy. You can do this in person, by telephone, or via email. Regardless of the nature of your concern, it's important to report it promptly.

Some examples of concerns you might have include physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, sexual abuse or bullying. It is essential to remember that harm to a child can be inflicted by various individuals, including parents, family members, friends, other children, strangers, staff members or volunteers within the school.

If your concern relates to a staff member or volunteer, you should report it directly to the Headteacher. Similarly, if your concern involves the Headteacher, you should report it to the Chair of Trustees. Contact details for these individuals can be found below.

Taking swift action and reporting concerns is vital in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the children at Westfield Academy.

For a wide range of further support and guidance, please see the Support for Students and the Support for Parents pages of the website.

The Westfield Academy Safeguarding Team:

• Ms A Hartley, Deputy Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead (ahc@westfield.academy)
• Mrs B Shaw, Child Protection Officer & Deputy DSL (bsh@westfield.academy)
• Ms T Freeman, Inclusion Co-ordinator & Deputy DSL (tfr@westfield.academy)
• Mrs K Symonds, SENCO & Deputy DSL (senco@westfield.academy)

Safeguarding email: safeguarding@westfield.academy

The Designated Trustee for Safeguarding is: Mr G Williams