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Safeguarding

At Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, the safeguarding of all our students is the highest priority. We are committed to providing a safe environment for pupils where all children feel safe and are kept safe. As a school we recognise that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility irrespective of the role they undertake and expect all staff, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment. We are fully committed to ensuring that consistent and effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support children, families and staff at school.  

Our safeguarding policy applies to all staff, governors and volunteers working in the school.  

All adults who regularly work on our site are required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to prevent unsuitable people from working with students. All visitors are closely supervised when on site.  

We ensure staff have the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to keep children safe through provision of regular training on child protection issues.  A qualified Designated Safeguarding Lead (Child Protection Officer) within the school provides support to staff members to carry out their safeguarding duties and liaises closely with other services such as children’s social care.  We also have a designated lead Governor for safeguarding/child protection on the Governing Body.  

Our staff are trained to be vigilant for all kinds of safeguarding concerns, including bullying, online safety, emotional or other abuse or extremist behaviour. We have clear procedures in place where any potential safeguarding concerns are identified. We share information with other public bodies – within agreed protocols.  

Through our pursuit to develop exemplary citizens, we promote fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.  In line with this, we ensure all expressed views and actions contrary to these values are challenged.    

The members of The Safeguarding Team at AGGS are:  

Designated Safeguarding Lead – Ms R Bond 

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads – Mrs K Galvin, Mr S Davenport and Mr J Flanagan  

A copy of the Safeguarding Policy, and all other policies, is available on our policies and procedures page. 

Role of the governing body  

Safeguarding at AGGS  is a collective responsibility for the governing body.  

Mr D Costello is the Designated Safeguarding Governor.  

Worried about a child’s safety? 

If you are worried about a child’s safety and welfare, please do not hesitate to contact one of the named DSL’s. 

If a child is in immediate danger, dial 99 and ask for the police. 

You can also report concerns directly to social services using the following contact details. 

Reporting concerns for a child living in: 

Trafford –  www.trafford.gov.uk/firstresponse – 0161 912 5125 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm) – 0161 912 2020 (Emergency Duty Team) 

Greater Manchester – mcsreply@manchester.gov.uk – 0161 234 5001 (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). 

Cheshire East – https://childrenandfamiliesportal.cheshireeast.gov.uk – 0300 123 5012 (option 3, option 2) – 0300 123 5022 (Emergency Duty Team) 

Cheshire West – https://www.cheshirewestscp.co.uk/parents-carers/  – 0300 123 7047 (option 1) 

Worried about online abuse? 

CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) is a reporting service which exists to keep children safe from sexual abuse and online grooming. You can make a report directly to CEOP if something has happened online which has made your child feel unsafe, scared, or worried. This might be from someone they know in real life, or someone they have only ever met online. You can report via this link: Report to CEOP

Operation Encompass referrals

AGGS is part of Operation Encompass which is a national scheme that operates jointly between schools and police forces. Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has experienced domestic abuse. As a school we have ensured that our DSL has been trained in the Operation Encompass procedures allowing us to then use the information that has been shared, in confidence, to support the child/ren in our care. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 identifies children who experience domestic abuse as victims of domestic abuse in their own right. We believe that this partnership is extremely beneficial for all those involved. 

Proud to part of the Bright Futures Education Trust
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
Cavendish Road, Bowdon,
Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 2NL
Bright Futures SCITTCEOP