Safeguarding

Keeping Children Safe

At River Tyne Academy, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where every pupil feels valued, respected, and protected. 

We believe that children learn best when they feel safe and secure. Our safeguarding culture promotes openness, trust, and positive relationships, ensuring that pupils know who they can talk to if they have a worry or concern. We encourage all members of our Academy community to speak up if they are concerned about a child’s wellbeing or safety. 

Our Commitment

We are dedicated to ensuring that all pupils are protected from harm and receive the support they need to thrive. Our safeguarding procedures are robust, effective, and aligned with national guidance and statutory responsibilities. 

To maintain the highest standards of safeguarding: 

• All staff receive regular safeguarding and child protection training. 

• Safeguarding is a standing priority across Academy life. 

• Staff are trained to identify and respond to concerns quickly and appropriately. 

• We work closely with families, local authorities, and external agencies to support children and young people. 

• Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe, both online and offline, through our curriculum and Personal Development programme. 

Safeguarding Team

Our dedicated Safeguarding Team is responsible for leading and overseeing all safeguarding and child protection matters within the Academy. 

If you have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please contact a member of our Safeguarding Team as soon as possible. No concern is too small, and sharing information early can make a significant difference to a child’s wellbeing and safety. 

Details of our Designated Safeguarding Leads and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads can be found below. 

Reporting a Concern

If you are worried about a child, please speak to a member of staff or contact the Academy directly. All concerns are taken seriously and will be managed sensitively, professionally, and in line with safeguarding procedures. 

Where necessary, information may be shared with relevant agencies, including Children’s Social Care, health professionals, or the police, to ensure that children receive the protection and support they need. 

If a child is in immediate danger, please contact the police on 999. 

Working Together

Safeguarding is most effective when schools, families, and external agencies work together. By maintaining strong partnerships and promoting a culture of vigilance, we strive to ensure that every pupil at River Tyne Academy feels safe, supported, and able to achieve their full potential. 

The safety and wellbeing of our pupils will always be our highest priority. 

This version is more professional, reassuring, and aligned with current safeguarding expectations, while allowing your website team to add photographs and contact details for the Designated Safeguarding Leads underneath the main content. 

Protect

Safeguarding Through Education

At River Tyne Academy, safeguarding is embedded throughout Academy life. We are committed to ensuring that all pupils are equipped with the knowledge, understanding, and confidence they need to keep themselves safe and make informed decisions. 

All staff follow the latest statutory guidance set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and receive regular safeguarding training to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of our pupils remains our highest priority. 

We recognise that education plays a vital role in protecting children and young people. Through our Personal Development curriculum, including PSHE, RSHE, online safety, and wellbeing education, pupils are supported to understand potential risks and develop strategies to stay safe both in school and in the wider community. 

Key areas of learning include: 

• Personal safety and risk awareness. 

• Healthy and respectful relationships. 

• Online safety and digital wellbeing. 

• Mental health and emotional wellbeing. 

• Exploitation, grooming, and harmful influences. 

• Consent, boundaries, and healthy choices. 

• Knowing how and where to seek help and support. 

Our aim is to empower pupils to recognise risks, understand their rights, and develop the confidence to speak to a trusted adult if they are worried about themselves or someone else. 

Creating a Safe Environment

At River Tyne Academy, we strive to create a culture where every pupil feels safe, listened to, and supported. Strong relationships between pupils and staff help ensure that concerns can be identified early and appropriate support can be provided when needed. 

By combining high-quality safeguarding practices with a comprehensive Personal Development curriculum, we help our pupils develop the resilience, awareness, and life skills needed to stay safe, healthy, and successful throughout their lives. 

This version is more contemporary and suitable for a dedicated “Protect” safeguarding webpage, focusing on prevention, pupil empowerment, online safety, risk awareness, and safeguarding through education, which aligns well with current Ofsted and KCSIE expectations. 

Prevent

Safeguarding Against Radicalisation and Extremism

At River Tyne Academy, safeguarding extends to protecting pupils from all forms of harm, including radicalisation, extremism, and exploitation. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment where pupils are encouraged to think critically, value diversity, and develop a strong understanding of the world around them. 

As part of our safeguarding responsibilities, we actively promote the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. These values are embedded throughout our curriculum and Academy culture, helping pupils develop the skills and resilience needed to challenge harmful influences and make positive choices. 

Our Prevent Duty

The Prevent Duty is part of the Government’s wider counter-terrorism strategy and aims to safeguard individuals from becoming vulnerable to extremist ideologies or radicalisation. 

At River Tyne Academy, staff are trained to recognise potential signs of vulnerability and know how to respond appropriately should concerns arise. We work closely with families, local authorities, and external agencies to ensure that pupils receive the support they need to remain safe. 

Through our Personal Development curriculum, pupils are supported to: 

• Develop critical thinking and decision-making skills. 

• Understand the importance of respect, tolerance, and inclusion. 

• Recognise misinformation, online risks, and harmful influences. 

• Build resilience and confidence to challenge extremist narratives. 

• Know where to seek help and support if they have concerns. 

Our aim is not only to protect pupils from harm but also to empower them to become informed, responsible, and active members of society. 

Operation Encompass

River Tyne Academy is proud to be part of Operation Encompass, a national partnership between schools and police services that supports children and young people who may have been affected by domestic abuse. 

Through Operation Encompass, the police notify the Academy before the start of the next school day when a child has been present during, exposed to, or affected by a domestic abuse incident. This enables us to provide timely and appropriate support to help the child feel safe, secure, and ready to learn. 

All information shared through Operation Encompass is handled sensitively, confidentially, and in accordance with safeguarding and data protection procedures. 

Working Together to Keep Children Safe

At River Tyne Academy, we believe that safeguarding is most effective when schools, families, and external agencies work together. Through our commitment to the Prevent Duty, Operation Encompass, and our wider safeguarding responsibilities, we strive to ensure that every pupil feels safe, supported, and able to thrive. 

Our priority is to help young people develop the confidence, resilience, and understanding needed to navigate the challenges of modern life safely and successfully. 

Safeguarding Supervision

At River Tyne Academy Gateshead, we recognise that supporting the wellbeing of our staff is essential to creating a safe, positive, and effective learning environment for all students. As part of our commitment to safeguarding and staff welfare, we provide robust Safeguarding Supervision for colleagues across the academy. 

Our Intent

The purpose of Safeguarding Supervision is to provide a structured and supportive space where staff can reflect on their practice, discuss safeguarding concerns, and receive professional guidance. Through this process, we aim to promote staff wellbeing, strengthen professional confidence, and ensure the highest standards of safeguarding for our students. 

Our Implementation

Safeguarding Supervision takes place regularly and is delivered by trained supervisors. These sessions provide opportunities for staff to: 

• Discuss safeguarding concerns and complex cases in a confidential and supportive environment. 

• Reflect on professional practice and decision-making. 

• Share experiences, challenges, and effective strategies. 

• Develop knowledge and confidence in responding to safeguarding matters. 

• Access support for the emotional impact that safeguarding work can sometimes have. 

By embedding regular supervision into our safeguarding culture, we ensure that staff feel equipped, supported, and empowered in their roles. 

Our Impact

The impact of Safeguarding Supervision extends across the academy community. Staff report increased confidence in managing safeguarding responsibilities and greater access to professional support. This contributes to: 

• Stronger safeguarding practice. 

• Improved staff wellbeing and resilience. 

• Enhanced professional reflection and development. 

• A culture of openness, trust, and collaboration. 

• Better outcomes for students through consistent and effective support. 

By prioritising both safeguarding and staff wellbeing, River Tyne Academy Gateshead fosters an environment where colleagues feel valued and supported, enabling them to provide the highest level of care and education for our students. 

Qualified Safeguarding Supervisors

Philippa Seagar