Safeguarding at Wittersham Church of England Primary School

At Wittersham Church of England Primary School, the safety, welfare and well-being of every child is our highest priority. Safeguarding is a shared responsibility and underpins all aspects of school life. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where every child feels valued, listened to and able to flourish.

Safeguarding is led by Stella Coulson (Headteacher), who is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). She is supported by a highly experienced team of Deputy DSLs:

• Lynsey Scott – Assistant Headteacher
• Carly Catt – SENCO
• Claire Sterriker-Rhodes – Family Liaison Officer

Together, this team works closely to ensure that children’s well-being is consistently protected and promoted. We maintain rigorous safeguarding practices, undertake regular training and continually review our procedures to ensure they remain robust and effective. Strong communication and partnership working with families and external agencies enable us to respond swiftly and appropriately to any concerns.

At Wittersham, safeguarding is not just a responsibility – it is a culture. Every adult in the school plays an active role in keeping children safe, supporting them to feel secure, confident and ready to learn each day.

Safer Recruitment

Wittersham Church of England Primary School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people. We expect every member of staff, every governor and every volunteer to share this commitment and to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.

Our safer recruitment procedures are rigorous and follow national guidance and Kent County Council policies. All appointments to the school are subject to:

• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• A check against the Children’s Barred List
• Satisfactory references
• Verification of identity and the right to work in the UK
• Additional safeguarding checks where required

We also follow Kent County Council guidance regarding DBS requirements for volunteers who support learning and school activities. No volunteer is permitted to work unsupervised with children until all necessary checks have been completed.

Kent Safeguarding Children Board (KSCB)

We work in close partnership with the Kent Safeguarding Children Board (KSCB), which provides valuable guidance, training and resources for professionals, parents, carers and young people. Their support helps ensure that our safeguarding practice remains robust, current and fully aligned with local and national expectations.

For more information, please visit:
🔗 Kent Safeguarding Children Board – www.kscb.org.uk