Keeping Children Safe 

The health, safety, and well-being of all children in our care are paramount. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected, valued and listened to.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play. This responsibility includes every member of our school community. School staff, however, are in the unique and privileged position of spending many hours interacting with and caring for children. They have thus been given clear and specific responsibilities in supporting families who may be finding things difficult and in noticing when children are showing what might be the signs and indicators of abuse and neglect. Part of this responsibility is  in then seeking appropriate help in addressing these issues. We recognise that all staff members have a full and proactive part to play in protecting children from harm. We also expect that all volunteers and visitors to our school follow our policies and procedures to work alongside staff members in keeping children safe

At Hopping Hill in order to fulfil our responsibilities effectively, we ensure that our approach is child centred. This means that at all times, we act in the best interests of the child. This at times, might involve some difficult conversations. This is always done without judgement and information will only be shared with any professional where it is necessary in order to safeguard children.

We listen to our pupils and take seriously, what they tell us. Children are supported in considering whom they could talk to if they have any worries, problems or are feeling unsafe. We also have a curriculum in place that teaches children about safety. For further information on the curriculum, please see information in the curriculum section of our website.

All school staff receive regularly training in issues relating to safeguarding, including anti-bullying, online safety and child protection, this training includes the issue of child abuse and the signs of sexual, physical, emotional harm or neglect along with other specific types of abuse.

While every member of staff has a role in safeguarding, there are individuals with specific roles. Michelle White (Deputy Headteacher) is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in school but if you have any concerns about the safety and well-being of a child, please contact any of our safeguarding Team. You can do this by calling the school office. If you would prefer to email, the office will be able to provide you with these details too. All school staff receive regular safeguarding training. The safeguarding team receive specific training in order to carry out their named role.

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mrs Michelle White

Deputy Head Teacher

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads

Mrs Jo Fantarrow

Mrs Liz Doughty

Mr Jamie Pell

Mrs Rebecca Cronin

Head Teacher

Assistant Head Teacher

Assistant Head Teacher

Family Support Worker

Key safeguarding documents that we work with:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024
• Working Together to Safeguard Children

Whenever we have a visitor, student or supply teacher to our school we pass on to them our Safeguarding Leaflet and ask that they read it carefully and keep it with them for reference throughout their time at Hopping Hill Primary School.

What should I do if I have concerns about a child or family?

1. Speak with one the safeguarding leads at school. 
2. Contact Northamptonshire multi agency safeguarding hub (MASH) on 0300 126 7000
3. Further information on the  MASH team can be found here.
4. Contact the Northampton Children's Trust Report a concern (nctrust.co.uk)
5. Speak to the NSPCC:

The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) 

Northamptonshire MASH can be contacted and can give advice on whether a family needs early help or they meet the threshold for statutory child protection.  They can be contacted by telephone on 0300 126 7000 or email (Secure email address) MASH@nctrust.co.uk

Out of Hours

If you need to contact children's social care urgently during the evening, at night or at the weekend, phone their out of hours team on 01604 626938

Operation Encompass

Hopping Hill Primary School, along with all other schools and educational establishments in West Northants and in many counties countrywide, are partners in Operation Encompass. The following is taken from the police Operation Encompass website, explaining what this entails.

Operation Encompass aims to reduce the long-term impacts of domestic abuse by providing early intervention and support.

When the police attend incidents of domestic violence or abuse where children are directly or indirectly involved, they notify the designated safeguarding lead at the child’s school before the start of the next school day.

Please visit the 'Operation Encompass' tab for more information.

Northamptonshire Early Help