{"id":614,"date":"2026-03-30T20:04:06","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T19:04:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pioneerfederation.co.uk\/stonegate\/?page_id=614"},"modified":"2026-08-23T20:38:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T19:38:43","slug":"safeguarding","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pioneerfederation.co.uk\/groombridge\/our-school\/safeguarding\/","title":{"rendered":"Safeguarding"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"614\" class=\"elementor elementor-614\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12923f5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"12923f5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c746b22 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c746b22\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Safeguarding is a high priority at Groombridge St Thomas<\/h2><p>At Groombridge St Thomas we are all committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of our pupils. All staff and Governors share these objectives to help keep our children safe:<\/p><ul><li>We help children develop skills to keep themselves safe<\/li><li>We raise awareness of safeguarding issues<\/li><li>We support vulnerable children and children who have been abused<\/li><li>We create and sustain a safe, nurturing and caring environment free from discrimination or bullying where our pupils can learn and develop happily<\/li><\/ul><h3>Designated Safeguarding Team<\/h3><p>Our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) are:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Caroline Powell<\/strong> (Headteacher \/ Lead DSL)<\/li><li><strong>Charlotte Knight<\/strong> (Deputy DSL)<\/li><li><strong>Ruth Ridley<\/strong> (SENCo \/ Deputy DSL)<\/li><li><strong>Alan Brundle<\/strong> (Safeguarding Governor)<\/li><\/ul><p>If you have any concerns about your child or any other pupil at Groombridge School please contact one of the DSLs immediately.<\/p><p>In an emergency, safeguarding concerns can also be reported to the NSPCC (<a href=\"&#x6d;a&#x69;l&#x74;&#111;&#x3a;&#104;e&#x6c;p&#x40;&#110;&#x73;&#112;&#x63;&#99;&#46;&#x6f;r&#x67;&#46;&#x75;&#107;\">&#104;&#x65;l&#112;&#x40;n&#115;&#x70;c&#99;&#x2e;o&#114;&#x67;&#46;&#x75;&#x6b;<\/a>) or SPOA (01323 464222).<\/p><h2>Online Safety<\/h2><p>At Groombridge St Thomas, we recognize that our pupils are growing up in a world of ever-changing technology. To enable our pupils to keep safe online we have developed our curriculum to teach them:<\/p><ul><li>that people sometimes behave differently online, including by pretending to be someone they are not<\/li><li>that the same principles apply to online relationships as to face-to-face relationships, including the importance of respect for others<\/li><li>the rules and principles for keeping safe online: how to recognise risks, harmful content and contact, and how to report them<\/li><li>how to critically consider their online friendships and sources of information<\/li><li>how information and data is shared and used online<\/li><\/ul><p>If you are worried about online abuse or the way someone is communicating with a young person online, you can report it via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ceop.police.uk\/Safety-Centre\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CEOP<\/a>.<\/p><h2>Useful Websites, Advice and Resources for Parents<\/h2><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.internetmatters.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Internet Matters<\/a><\/h3><p>A range of guides, videos and toolkits to help you to keep your child safe online. These include information about key issues that may be affecting children and young people on the internet, and what to do if you&#8217;re worried about anything you or your child has seen online.<\/p><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.childline.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Childline<\/a><\/h3><p>Childline is there to give young people a voice when no one else is listening. Whatever problems or dangers they&#8217;re facing, it is a place for them to turn to for support \u2013 any time of day or night. Childline is a free, private and confidential service where children and you people can talk about anything. They can be contacted on 0800 1111, or have a range of information, support and tools online.<\/p><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nspcc.org.uk\/keeping-children-safe\/support-for-parents\/pants-underwear-rule\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NSPCC Pants<\/a><\/h3><p>Talk PANTS helps children understand that their body belongs to them, and they should tell someone they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried. A really useful website to help you start the conversation with your child.<\/p><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/nationalonlinesafety.com\/resources\/platform-guides\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">National Online Safety<\/a><\/h3><p>National Online Safety&#8217;s mission is to make the internet a safer place for children. They aim to do this by equipping school staff, parents and children with the knowledge they need to understand online dangers and how best to react should an incident arise. The link provides up-to-date information about a wide variety of social media apps and platforms your child might be using.<\/p><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.childnet.com\/parents-and-carers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Childnet International<\/a><\/h3><p>Childnet parents and carers page \u2013 information, advice and resources for parents and carers on a wide range of topics affecting children and young people online. They also have excellent resources about how to have a conversation about the online world with your child, how to set up parental controls, create a family agreement and what to do if you are worried about a child.<\/p><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nspcc.org.uk\/keeping-children-safe\/online-safety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NSPCC Net Aware<\/a><\/h3><p>Information and guides for parents and carers about the social media platforms, apps and games that young people use. You can also sign up to the Online Safety Newsletter to help you stay up to date with the latest trends, or download the free Net Aware app.<\/p><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nspcc.org.uk\/keeping-children-safe\/online-safety\/share-aware\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NSPCC Share Aware<\/a><\/h3><p>A series of 3 animations &#8216;I saw your willy&#8217;, &#8216;Lucy and the boy&#8217;, and &#8216;Mia&#8217;s story&#8217;, designed to prompt conversations between adults and children to keep them safe from online abuse.<\/p><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commonsensemedia.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Common Sense Media<\/a><\/h3><p>Use the search box at the top to search for a game or app. There will be a Common Sense Media review which includes the information you need to help you make decisions about the suitability of the game for your child. It also has useful parent and child reviews for each game.<\/p><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thinkuknow.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Think U Know<\/a><\/h3><p>The education programme from CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection), a UK organisation that protects children both online and offline. The site has information for parents and carers and games for children of different ages to help them learn about online safety.<\/p><h2>Operation Encompass<\/h2><p>We are an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.operationencompass.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Operation Encompass<\/a> school. Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse.<\/p><h2>Parent Factsheets &amp; Guides<\/h2><p>Online safety support downloads for parents:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0299b07 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"0299b07\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"document-gallery\">\n            <div class='document-icon'>\n                <a href='https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1KPKBH0wDVpekxvtcOhXyt3hIK2-w6q_B\/view?usp=drivesdk' target='_blank'>\n                    <img src='https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/drive-storage\/AJQWtBNkMTA8KxOymfPaJttB9MY-WwEfm8_AI8PbWyI7OtrhfVKLLL3oCrZ2bFUnrVsVElhonphtWXEZakK3V2RKJYOPeSYJ19sVU4LW2S1c=w418' alt='Child safety on TikTok parent factsheet' loading='lazy'>\n                    <span class='title'>Child safety on TikTok parent factsheet<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class='document-icon'>\n                <a href='https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1mC5CdZlDFcoGtxMr5MDiSTLZGBNiRGV1\/view?usp=drivesdk' target='_blank'>\n                    <img src='https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/drive-storage\/AJQWtBPOldTwcjIah8DczSY95Bzc-p_ApaSOZIZQmTvg91Xw7U1LNhozs_p_KkfpRhskr3myDVgqBU_rGrp6cEczj11gFu6-fFxPGrkCaCo3=w418' alt='Instagram parent factsheet' loading='lazy'>\n                    <span class='title'>Instagram parent factsheet<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class='document-icon'>\n                <a href='https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1SRG9vhOI6jaW-baxuF9jhiHLfk496kJx\/view?usp=drivesdk' target='_blank'>\n                    <img src='https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/drive-storage\/AJQWtBO95W5e7nXXe1V77rLYoe7R-gkaoHmzMTrSq0PxGaB5WJSo5761bHFpwhkr8hKybprJRp_xWgAfHWI9TkcI_0EKafpcBGkRmkaT4_mA=w418' alt='Pants Parents Guide' loading='lazy'>\n                    <span class='title'>Pants Parents Guide<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class='document-icon'>\n                <a href='https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1566BH90-de--R7Q1qQguMAUrH_HPZD8z\/view?usp=drivesdk' target='_blank'>\n                    <img src='https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/drive-storage\/AJQWtBO6LtTa4goyNZQeADZSqGzdirC7ZZMOE-h2Qyld1h1FD5WvP1jY-mu1xfuO1yRyDQjI-MEii-qPT99LoI3ARb6QJsahJiwAAuwTIqAy=w418' alt='Snapchat parent factsheet' loading='lazy'>\n                    <span class='title'>Snapchat parent factsheet<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class='document-icon'>\n                <a href='https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/11txSZTPvYDa0lJp0GoWeXpwmV1v2DzPg\/view?usp=drivesdk' target='_blank'>\n                    <img src='https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/drive-storage\/AJQWtBOvEdhSuRmlCXfAU13d_itcWebARuAACzBDTObiaR9OBy1HTc4uWMHMlo79HT0GS6U6vZJaRT6VZh3kx4nR-A-c8G3VjK_oLp7_kU8-=w418' alt='WhatsApp - parent factsheet' loading='lazy'>\n                    <span class='title'>WhatsApp - parent factsheet<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class='document-icon'>\n                <a href='https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1Lda6q4B7VMNN0GW5VoXGCnMSeFuIHFpS\/view?usp=drivesdk' target='_blank'>\n                    <img src='https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/drive-storage\/AJQWtBMnmABPZrvEsci0qCcxY2U3kDblEtTd0fHdb-PjqusOwD0W7T9Q0ibK9v7vkesP3C26oj343KQWp4LryXAJ-o3DAz5C2iq97fdOTDyi=w418' alt='YouTube safety factsheet' loading='lazy'>\n                    <span class='title'>YouTube safety factsheet<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Safeguarding is a high priority at Groombridge St Thomas At Groombridge St Thomas we are all committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of our pupils. All staff and Governors share these objectives to help keep our children safe: We help children develop skills to keep themselves safe We raise awareness of safeguarding issues We support [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":446,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-614","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pioneerfederation.co.uk\/groombridge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/614","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pioneerfederation.co.uk\/groombridge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pioneerfederation.co.uk\/groombridge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pioneerfederation.co.uk\/groombridge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pioneerfederation.co.uk\/groombridge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=614"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/pioneerfederation.co.uk\/groombridge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/614\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1377,"href":"https:\/\/pioneerfederation.co.uk\/groombridge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/614\/revisions\/1377"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pioneerfederation.co.uk\/groombridge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/446"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pioneerfederation.co.uk\/groombridge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=614"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}