Safeguarding is central to everything we do at Old Clee Primary Academy. We place great importance on ensuring that our taught curriculum provides meaningful opportunities for children to learn about keeping themselves and others safe. Our broad and carefully planned curriculum enables pupils to experience life in all its diversity and to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills that support their personal development, behaviour, and welfare. Our aim is to equip every child with the confidence and capability to safeguard themselves effectively.

We consistently challenge children to think deeply about safeguarding matters and to reflect on both their physical and mental wellbeing. We value pupils’ questions and create a safe, open environment where they are encouraged to express their thoughts, ideas, and concerns.

Across the curriculum, pupils explore values, rights, responsibilities, and equality of opportunity. These experiences help develop strong moral concepts, reinforce British values, and play a vital role in preventing radicalisation and extremism.

Safeguarding themes are woven throughout our curriculum, with a range of practical learning opportunities such as:

• Road and rail safety, bike ability, and sessions with police community support officers
• Water and poolside safety during swimming lessons in Year 4
• Fire awareness education delivered by the local fire service
• Visits from medical professionals such as the school nursing team
• Assemblies and Workshops from charities such as the NSPCC, Compass Go
• Online safety activities, quizzes, and training
• Learning linked to “Stranger Danger,” outdoor safety, and responding to “What should I do if…?” scenarios
• Guidance on staying safe on school visits, including what to do if separated from a group
• Safe and responsible use of technology, including password security and privacy settings (Be Smart Online Safety Poster)
• Online Safety (targeted work as required)
• Behaviour Work (targeted work as required)
• Year 6 Transitions
• NSPCC PANTS work (targeted work as required)
• Anti-Bullying Week
• Wellbeing Days/Week
• Healthy Relationships (part of PD lessons and targeted work as required)
• Big Talk

We are committed to maintaining an open and supportive learning environment where pupils feel confident in seeking help, supporting others, and expressing their viewpoints. Our commitment to equality and diversity helps to prevent discriminatory behaviour of any kind. Pupils learn to challenge prejudice and to value and respect difference.

Our behaviour policy reinforces positive choices and promotes effective learning behaviours. Personal Development (PD) sessions provide further opportunities for children to share ideas, raise concerns, reflect on their attributes, and engage with important values. Assemblies, PD lessons, and SUPERB sessions all play a key role in exploring safeguarding topics, including anti-bullying (such as cyberbullying) and the promotion of British values within our diverse, multi-faith community.

Staff and pupils actively challenge stereotypes and the use of derogatory language both in lessons and around the school. Our curriculum reflects the diversity of our community and helps pupils gain a broader understanding of people and cultures beyond their own experiences. This includes learning about gender equality, different family structures (including same-sex families), and the contributions of a wide range of individuals and groups to society.

Through planned, meaningful opportunities across all subjects, pupils develop respect for people of all faiths and none, and for individuals of different races, genders, ages, abilities, and sexual orientations. Opportunities are created in a variety of subjects to address areas of safeguarding, for example, themes are highlighted through novels in English lessons.

At the start of each academic year, time is dedicated to reaffirming our school values, expectations, and the principles of being a SUPERB Citizen. Establishing these shared standards from the outset sets a positive tone, clarifies roles and responsibilities, and contributes to the excellent safeguarding outcomes we are proud to uphold.