The Designated Safeguarding Leads are Mr. Billy Hutt and Mrs. Karen Woodyatt.

The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads for are Mrs. Lindsey Ashwell and Mrs. Jo Tomkinson (EYFS).

The Trustee with responsibility for safeguarding is Mrs. Kathryn Byng.

At The Coppice Primary and Nursery School we follow a strategic approach to safeguarding. In practice, this means a planned, coordinated, and comprehensive framework that ensures the safety, protection, and well-being of all pupils, particularly those with additional vulnerabilities such as SEND. 

We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils and, therefore, our approach is underpinned by statutory guidance, including ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, and is responsive to emerging risks and the evolving needs of our pupils.

At The Coppice, we go beyond reactive measures by embedding safeguarding into the school’s culture, leadership, policies, and everyday practice.  Keeping children safe is, without doubt, our number one priority. We always endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice.

There are 4 main elements to our approach to safeguarding:

Prevention – positive whole-school safeguarding culture, safer recruitment procedures and curriculum that has safeguarding at the core. Staff, pupil and Parent and Carer voice activities are carried out routinely which ensure that we are aware of our community’s safety needs and concerns both in school and in the wider community.

Protection – robust, agreed procedures, ensuring that staff are trained and supported to identify and respond appropriately and sensitively to safeguarding concerns.

Support – for pupils and staff whenever there are safeguarding concerns reported or disclosures made.

Working with Parents/Carers and external agencies (Children’s Services, the police, NHS, bereavement charities etc) – a joined-up approach at all times and strong communication regarding all those involved with a child.*For further information regarding our approach to safeguarding at The Coppice, please read our current Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy located under the ‘Polices’ link in the ‘Key information’ drop-down tab. You can also access it here:

Our Safeguarding policy applies to all staff, Trustees and volunteers working in the school. We will review our policy and procedures on an annual basis, or sooner if required.

*If you have any Safeguarding/Child Protection concerns about a child or adult, please refer to the safeguarding protocol poster below