POLICIES, DOCUMENTS & REPORTS
School Policies
Everything we do at Shield Row Primary School is designed to make pupils, parents, guardians and staff feel welcome, secure and happy.
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To ensure we live up to the highest standards we work to a school-wide set of policies. You can read more and download each policy below.
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If you have questions about any of our policies, please get in touch via our contact form.
You can also email office@shieldrow.co.uk or call us on 01207 239 661.
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Information relating to Gender Pay Gap and Trade Union Facility Time can be found on our Trust Website at: https://tudhoelearningtrust.co.uk/policies/
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Information on school's annual accounts can be found on our Trust Website at: https://tudhoelearningtrust.co.uk/finance/
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We currently employ 1 trade union representative. During the academic year 2022-2023 there was one day of trade union activity.
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Index
Inclusion
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Relationships and Sex Education
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Safeguarding & Child Protection
School Workforce Privacy Notice
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Admissions
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Our school is an academy within Tudhoe Learning Trust. The Trust is the Admissions Authority for all schools within the Trust and has determined to operate admissions on the same basis as that used by Durham Local Authority.
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Durham County Admission Arrangements 2024/25
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Applications Procedure
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Please refer to the LA website for all information regarding admissions and appeals procedures for your child.
Allegations of Abuse Against Staff
Each school within the Trust takes its responsibility of care for its pupils seriously and fully endorses the principles and practice of Every Child Matters.
We recognise that any possibility that a member of staff may have hurt a student must be investigated thoroughly, but in a way that does not prejudice either the student or the member of staff.
Any investigation of an allegation of abuse against a member of staff must follow the objectives, professional standards and routines described in this policy.
Anti-bullying
Everyone at Shield Row has the right to feel welcome, secure and happy.
Bullying prevents this, undermines self-esteem and denies equality of opportunity.
It is everyone’s responsibility to challenge bullying. This policy contains guidelines for action.
Attendance
Shield Row Primary recognises the importance of good attendance and aims to ensure all its pupils receive a full-time education to enhance and maximise opportunities for every pupil to realise their true potential.
Regular attendance and punctuality are prerequisites to a good education and are therefore a priority to us.
We are committed to providing a full and inclusive educational experience for all pupils.
Behaviour
We believe that we promote good behaviour by creating a happy caring school environment where everyone feels valued, respected, secure and free from all forms of anti-social behaviour.
We encourage pupils to achieve in a learning environment where self-discipline is promoted and good behaviour is the norm.
We believe pupils will achieve their full potential in a happy, stimulating and ordered school environment.
Charging and Remissions
Our school aims to have robust, clear processes in place for charging and remissions.
This policy is based on advice from the Department for Education (DfE) on charging for school activities and the Education Act 1996, sections 449-462 of which set out the law on charging for school activities in England.
Academies are required to comply with this Act through their funding agreements. This policy complies with our funding agreement and articles of association.
Children with Health Needs
This policy aims to ensure that:
• Suitable education is arranged for pupils on roll who cannot attend school due to health needs
• Pupils, staff and parents understand what the school is responsible for when this education is being provided by the local authority
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This policy reflects the requirements of the Education Act 1996.
It also based on guidance provided by our local authority which can be found by following the following link; https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/2983/Support-for-children-with-health-needs
Complaints
This complaints procedure is not limited to parents or carers of children that are registered at any of our Trust school’s. Any person, including members of the public, may make a complaint to Tudhoe Learning Trust or any of the schools within the Trust about any provision of facilities or services that we provide.
Unless complaints are dealt with under separate statutory procedures (such as appeals relating to exclusions or admissions), we will use this complaints procedure.
Confidential Reporting Code (Whistle Blowing)
‘Whistleblowing’ is the term used when an employee passes on information concerning wrongdoing or dangers at work. This is generally referred to as ‘making a disclosure’ or ‘blowing the whistle’.
Whistleblowing law is located in the Employment Rights Act 1996 (as amended by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998).
The Trust is committed to the highest possible standards of openness, honesty and accountability. In line with that commitment, it expects employees, and others that it deals with, who have any serious concerns about any aspect of a school’s work to come forward and voice those concerns.
Early Career Teachers Policy
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The Early Career Teacher (ECT) induction process at Tudhoe Learning Trust ensures that the appropriate guidance, support and training to include the development of skills, knowledge, expectations and observations are provided through a structured but flexible individual programme. This programme will enable an ECT to form a secure foundation upon which a successful teaching career, fulfilling their professional duties, can be built.
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Equality
Our school code uses the Equality Act 2010: To treat everyone Equally and Fairly regardless of:
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Age
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Disability
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Gender
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Gender Identity
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Race and Nationality
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Religion or belief
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Pregnancy
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Marriage
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Sexual Orientation
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We will adhere to the legal definitions of these protected characteristics as set out by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) code of practice.
We believe that all pupils have an equal right to develop and achieve their potential.
Equality of opportunity underpins the school curriculum and the work of the school. Children at Shield Row are treated as individuals with their own abilities, difficulties, attitudes, backgrounds and experiences.
E-Safety
Shield Row Primary School acknowledges that the internet presents many positive opportunities for young people; however, it can also be a force for negative experiences.
It is the duty of the school to ensure that every child in their care is safe, and the same principles should apply to the ‘virtual’ or digital world as would be applied to the school’s physical buildings.
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This Policy document is drawn up to protect all parties – the pupils, the staff and the school and aims to provide clear advice and guidance on how to minimise risks and how to deal with any infringements.
Exclusion
Shield Row Primary School seeks to avoid exclusions and they only take place for very serious incidents or when other strategies have been tried and have failed over time.
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In most cases exclusion will be the last resort after a range of measures have been tried to improve the pupil’s behaviour and after a range of strategies have been put in place to address the inappropriate behaviour which may lead to exclusion.
First Aid
The health and safety of all children at Shield Row Primary is of the highest importance to all staff.
This policy explains the practices in place to address the health needs of the children, which may be as a result of accidents or medical conditions and should be read in conjunction with the school Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions Policies.
The school has fully qualified first aiders and paediatric first aiders who are responsible for dealing with any serious first aid matters and can be called upon to offer advice whenever required.
First aid training is thoroughly carried out in line with Health and Safety recommendations.
Inclusion
Supporting and enabling every individual child to develop their full emotional, social and academic potential is central to our aims and vision. It is in this context that the inclusion policy for our school has been written.
Inclusion is about equal opportunities for all learners, whatever their age, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, beliefs, sexual orientation, ability or background. It is about all children being entitled to actively participate in a meaningful and relevant set of learning experiences and to achieve their best.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Children maximise their potential in an environment which is safe, secure and supportive of all their needs, including any needs they have for protection from abuse.
Shield Row Primary is committed to promoting the welfare of all children by working in partnership with parents and carers, the Local Authority (LA) and multi-agency partners in early help and child protection, in accordance with locally agreed multi-agency safeguarding arrangements, procedures and practices.
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Our policy applies to members of the school community in its widest sense. This includes children and young people, their parents, guardians and carers, school staff, governors, directors, visitors, specialist staff, and the local and wider community where they interface with the school. Within its framework, the policy outlines entitlements and responsibilities in securing the protection of children who attend the school.
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023
Trust schools place the safety, well-being and welfare of children above everything.
Our staff operate within all statutory guidance and recognise the definition of safeguarding as that set out inKeeping Childre Safe in Education document.
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protecting children from maltreatment
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preventing impairment of children’s health or development
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ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
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taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes
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Children Missing from Education
The Education and Inspections Act 2006 places a statutory duty on all Local Authorities to make arrangements to identify children missing from education in their area.
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Shield Row Primary School is committed to working with Durham County Council to ensure that all pupils who go missing or who are lost from schools in County Durham and move to other areas are located as soon as possible. This statutory guidance outlines the procedures to safeguard missing children.
Child on Child Abuse
While it is recommended that child on child abuse is associated with the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, due to the sensitive nature and specific issues involved with child on child abuse this separate policy guidance template has been created to annex the Trust’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
Shield Row Primary is committed to ensuring that any form of child on child abuse or harmful behaviour is dealt with immediately and consistently. This will reduce the extent of harm to the young person and minimise the potential impact on that individual child’s emotional and mental health and well-being.
Prevent
Schools have a vital role to play in protecting pupils from the risks of extremism and radicalisation, a role which is underpinned by the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, 'To have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism'.
The Government’s Prevent Strategy has raised awareness of the specific need to safeguard children, young people and families from violent extremism and terrorism.
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There have been national situations in which extremist groups have attempted to radicalise vulnerable children and young people to hold extreme views including views justifying political, religious, sexist or racist violence, or to steer them into a rigid and narrow ideology that is intolerant of diversity and leaves them vulnerable to future radicalisation.
Shield Row Primary School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all pupils. Our school recognises that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability
Pupil Privacy Notice
Shield Row Primary School as an organisation seek to ensure that personal data is collected, processed and retained in line with the Data Protection Act 1998, General Data Protection Regulation 2018 and their own Policy.
The School will seek consent for the collection of personal data which will be relevant, clear and up front.
We will hold data that we need securely, be clear about why we need it and with whom we may share it.
Whilst every effort will be made to ensure that no data breach occurs in the event that it does breaches will be dealt with swiftly, transparently and robustly to ensure there is no repeat.
Our stakeholders can expect a high standard of service from us in respect of data protection.
Relationships and Sex Education
To embrace the challenges of creating a happy and successful adult life, children need knowledge that will enable them to make informed decisions about their well-being, health and relationships.
Pupils can put this knowledge into practice as they develop the capacity to make sound decisions when facing risk and challenges on their journey to adulthood.
Everyone faces difficult situations in their lives. This subject can support young people to develop resilience, to know how and when to ask for help, and to know where to access support.
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This policy sets out both the rights of parents, guardians and carers to withdraw pupils from sex education (but not Relationships or Health Education) and the process that Head Teachers will follow in considering a request from a parent.
Parents have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from some or all of sex education delivered by the Trust.
School Workforce Privacy Notice
Shield Row Primary School as an organisation seek to ensure that personal data is collected, processed and retained in line with the Data Protection Act 1998, General Data Protection Regulation 2018 and their own Policy.
The school will seek consent for the collection of personal data which will be relevant, clear and up front. We will hold data that we need securely, be clear about why we need it and with whom we may share it. Whilst every effort will be made to ensure that no data breach occurs in the event that it does breaches will be dealt with swiftly, transparently and robustly to ensure there is no repeat.
Our stakeholders can expect a high standard of service from us in respect of data protection.
SEND
Shield Row Primary is an inclusive school, catering for a wide range of SEND, including pupils with:
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Communication and interaction needs
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Cognition and learning needs
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Social, emotional and mental health difficulties
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Sensory or physical needs
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Our school welcomes all children and values them as individuals, treating them equally and with respect.
We believe that all children have the right to have their own particular needs recognised and addressed in order to achieve success.
We believe that all teachers are teachers of children with SEND and it is therefore a whole school responsibility to ensure that these children’s needs are addressed.
Separated Parents
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This Trust recognises that children from families whose parents are separated, or are undergoing separation, may go through traumatic changes during their time at school. With this in mind, we will make every effort to work with parents to promote the welfare of children. This policy has been created to minimise any impact and to clarify to all parties what is expected from separated parents and what can be expected from the school and its staff.
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