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CHILD PROTECTION

The Purcell School is committed to safeguarding children in the school community and to creating an environment where they feel secure enough to discuss their concerns. Our aim is to train all staff to recognise when children are in need of help.

The school has a statutory obligation to follow the policies established by Hertfordshire County Council and the procedures established by the Hertfordshire Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) – a guide to procedure and practice for all professional staff in Hertfordshire who work with children. Their guidelines form the basis of our policy.

When issues of Child Protection have to be referred outside the school, we normally contact Hertfordshire's Department of Children, Schools and Families. If a child lives in another county, the referral is made to the relevant local authority.

Parents often receive information from their child about the welfare other children in school. Parents with concerns about Child Protection issues should contact Paul Elliott, the Designated Senior Person for Child Protection in school, or Hilary Austin, the school nurse. Parents with concerns about a member of staff should contact the Headmaster; concerns about the Headmaster should be referred to the Chairman of Governors.

A full copy of the Purcell School’s Child Protection Policy can be viewed here.

Should you need or wish to contact Ofsted about any Child Protection issues, their contact details are as follows:

Ofsted,
Royal Exchange Buildings,
St Ann’s Square,
Manchester M2 7LA

Telephone 08456 014772


SPECIAL NEEDS

Subject to the insuperable constraints of the layout of our buildings or the limits of our staffing or other resources, we welcome applicants with special needs or disabilities. The School must be satisfied that it will be able to educate the applicant to the best of his or her potential and in line with the general standards achieved by the pupil's peers, and that these criteria will continue to be met throughout the pupil's time at the School.