Safeguarding

Safeguarding Team

Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy’s Safeguarding team continues to grow with a wealth of experienced staff ensuring students and parents have access to help and advice whenever necessary. Please do get in contact with Mark Shepherd (DSL) or any of his fully trained team if you have any concerns or questions in relation to Safeguarding, emotional well being or mental health issues.

Designated Safeguarding Leads and other safeguarding staff

• Mark Shepherd – Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Julia Collins – Academy Principal and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Barry Stephenson – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Sarah Forde – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Louise Taylor – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Kelly Maxwell – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Nicola Catlow – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Kevin Brewer – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Kirsty Marshall – Online Safety Lead
• Sana Morgan – Designated teacher for children in care

If you believe that a child or young person is at IMMEDIATE risk, you should treat this as an emergency and call the academy, or call 999 to report your concerns to the Police.

Spot Abuse

You may be concerned about a child or young person. You may or may not know them, or even their name. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Abuse can take many different forms, such as neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse and even emotional abuse.

Take Responsibility

Don’t assume that someone else will take responsibility and make that phone call. You could help to save a child’s life. If you are worried, report it.

Tell someone!

Please contact Specialist Children’s Services or the Police immediately:

Kent Central Duty Team
Telephone: 03000 411111
Fax: 03000 412345

Emergency Out of Hours
Telephone: 03000 419191
E-mail: social.services@kent.gov.uk

Kent Police Child Abuse Investigation Unit
Telephone: 01622 690 690

If you need to advise us of a child or young person moving into Kent from another area, please contact the Safeguarding Unit on 01622 694157.

Safeguarding Policy

Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy Safeguarding policy has been created to ensure the safety and well being of its students. The policy is updated every academic year with annual staff training provided for every member of SGLA staff.

Regular updates and professional development training are also provided with students also regularly reminded who are the members of Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy Safeguarding team and how they can easily be contacted.

Ofsted Review of Safeguarding Policies

The government also asked Ofsted to undertake an immediate review of safeguarding policies in state and independent schools. The review looked at the extent and the severity of the issue to ensure schools have appropriate processes in place to allow pupils to report concerns freely, knowing these will be taken seriously and dealt with swiftly and appropriately. The review concluded in May 2021.

Read the full report here

Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy has is clear message and there is a ZERO tolerance on sexual violence/sexual harassment and Peer on Peer abuse. Through the Healthy MInds programme students discuss all of the key issues around positive relationships and issues such as harassment and consent. The staff ultimately want the SGLA students to have a healthy and respectful relationship.

Please have a look through some of the websites and links below. The websites and links provide a wealth of information for parents and teachers to access with key facts, figures and useful resources.

Safeguarding Websites and Links

Other Useful Safeguarding Websites that are available to staff and parents of Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy.