Safeguarding
Safeguarding Information for Parents
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
At Aycliffe Drive Primary School we are fully committed to ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and protection of every child in our care. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we work closely with parents, carers, and external agencies to create a safe and supportive environment.
What Is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding means:
- Protecting children from harm, abuse, and neglect
- Ensuring children are safe, cared for, and able to thrive
- Promoting children’s physical and emotional wellbeing
- Ensuring safe recruitment practices for staff and volunteers
Key Safeguarding Staff
Members of our safeguarding team have completed the following training courses - Level3 Designated Lead, Prevent, Safer Recruitment, Domestic Violence, Operation Encompass and Online Safety.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Miss Katie Fitzsimmons
Role: Assistant Headteacher, SENCo, DSL
Contact email for DSL and DDSL - safeguarding@aycliffedrive.herts.sch.uk
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads:
Mrs Katie Atkinson
Role: Headteacher, Overall Safeguarding Lead, DDSL
Mrs Gemma Long
Role: Assistant Headteacher, DDSL, Designated Teacher for CLA
Miss Helen Rumph
Role: Mental Health Lead, DDSL, Prevent Lead Trainer
These staff members are trained to deal with safeguarding concerns and are available to offer support.
Safeguarding Governor:
Mr Steve Preston
If You Have a Concern
If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child:
- Contact the school’s DSL or Deputy DSL immediately
- Speak to any trusted member of staff
- In an emergency, contact:
- Police: 999
- Local Safeguarding Team: 0300 1234 4043
All concerns are taken seriously and handled confidentially.
How We Keep Children Safe
We ensure safety through:
- A vigorous Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
- Thorough safer recruitment checks for staff and volunteers
- Regular training for all staff
- Clear procedures for managing concerns and disclosures
- Online safety education and monitoring
- Secure school premises and visitor procedures
Parents can view read our policies here. Parents can also request a copy from the school office.
Online Safety
To help keep children safe online, we:
- Teach digital safety as part of our curriculum
- Use filtering and monitoring systems on school devices
Helpful advice for parents is available at:
- NSPCC Online Safety
Support for Families
We work with families to offer early help when needed. If you are struggling with anything—attendance, behaviour, wellbeing, or family challenges—please speak to us. We are here to help.
Report a Concern Online
You can also report online safety concerns directly to:
- CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command)
Operation Encompass
Aycliffe Drive Primary School is part of Operation Encompass. Operation Encompass is a national Police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people who experience Domestic Violence and Abuse, and which is in place in every Police force in England and Wales.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
At Aycliffe Drive Primary School, we are dedicated to creating a nurturing environment that enhances the mental health and well-being of our students. We are enthusiastic about sharing news, resources, and advice to assist you in fostering your child’s emotional well-being.
Our goal is to ensure that children grow into valuable members of society, recognizing that positive mental health is a shared responsibility involving every member of the community. The well-being of our children is essential for both their physical and emotional health, forming a crucial foundation for effective learning.
At Aycliffe Drive Primary School, we strive to help our children better comprehend their feelings and emotions, establish and sustain positive social connections, and embrace their unique identities. We aim to support children in cultivating a growth mindset, emotional resilience, and the ability to navigate setbacks. Creating an environment where children feel at ease sharing concerns and worries is paramount to our mission.
All our staff members are well-equipped with the skills and knowledge to identify the well-being needs of children. In addition to in-class support, Aycliffe Drive Primary School offers a range of interventions and programs for children requiring extra well-being support. These resources come from both internal and external sources.
The school is fortunate to have a dedicated Mental Health Lead who can provide support and guide staff towards the best resources. Our Mental Health Lead is also available to conduct Emotional Literacy Support Assistance (ELSA) and LEGO therapy sessions to assist children with various needs. To connect with our school’s Mental Health Lead, please email pastoralsupport@aycliffedrive.herts.sch.uk or admin@aycliffedrive.herts.sch.uk or contact the school office.
We collaborate with Dacorum Family Services to offer a range of options supporting children and families within the local area. Working in partnership, we aim to provide comprehensive well-being support to ensure the success and happiness of our school community.
Upcoming Events
For more information please visit https://dacorumdspl.org.uk/online-resources-for-parents-and-carer