Child Protection, Safeguarding & Online Safety
At Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School we place great emphasis on the health, safety and well-being of every girl. We take all concerns seriously as we want our girls to enjoy their time at the school.
Child Protection /Safeguarding
The school works in partnership with parents/carers in every way possible to help and support their daughters to achieve their full potential and make a positive contribution. However, all schools have a clear responsibility placed on them by the Children Act 1989 and guidance from the Department for Education to safeguard the welfare of all their pupils. In doing so, schools are expected to consult with Hertfordshire’s Children’s Services if they believe there is a possibility that a child may be suffering from abuse or neglect.
A referral to Children’s Services is not intended to be an accusation of any particular action or against any particular person. It is the reporting of concerns that have come to the school’s attention. This is in accordance with Hertfordshire’s Child Protection Procedures.
Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School has a Child Protection Policy and a copy of Hertfordshire Area Child Protection Procedures, both of which are available for parents/ carers to see.
Mr Dudley is the Designated Safeguarding Lead for Child Protection with Mrs Jackson as Deputy Safeguarding Lead. They will be happy to discuss any questions or concerns parents/carers may have about Child Protection policies and practice.
Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School operates safe recruitment procedures in keeping with DfE guidelines
Online Safety
- I will only use school IT equipment for school purposes.
- I will not download or install software on school IT equipment.
- I will only log on to the school network, other school systems and resources using my own school user name and password.
- I will not reveal my passwords to anyone other than a parent/carer.
- I will not use my personal email address or other personal accounts on school IT equipment.
- I will make sure that all my electronic communications are responsible and sensible.
- I understand that everything I search for, access, post or receive online can be traced now and in the future. My activity can be monitored and logged and if necessary shared with teachers, parents/carers and the police if necessary. I know it is essential that I build a good online reputation.
- I will not browse, download, upload or forward material that could be considered offensive or illegal. If I accidentally come across any such material I will report it immediately, to a member of staff if I am in school or parent/carer if I am not in school.
- I will not give out my own or others’ personal information, including: name, phone number, home address, interests, schools or clubs or any personal image. I will report immediately any request for personal information, to a member of staff if I am in school or parent/carer if I am not in school.
- I should never post photographs, videos or livestream without the permission of all parties involved.
- I will not upload any images, videos, sounds or words that could upset, now or in the future, any member of the school community, as this is cyberbullying.
- I will be respectful to everyone online; I will treat everyone the way that I want to be treated. I will ensure that all my online activity, both in and outside school, will not cause distress to anyone in the school community or bring the school into disrepute.
- I will not respond to hurtful behaviour online but will report it. I have the right to block and will say no to any inappropriate or upsetting request.
- I will respect the privacy and ownership of others’ work on-line and will adhere to copyright at all times.
- I will not attempt to bypass the internet filtering system in school.
- I will not assume that new technologies can be brought into school and will check with staff before bringing in any device.
- I will not lie about my age in order to sign up for age inappropriate games, apps or social networks.
- I understand that not everything I see or hear online is true, accurate or genuine. I also know that some people on the internet are not who they say they are and may have ulterior motives for assuming another identity that will put me at risk. I will gain permission from parents/carers before arranging to meet someone I only know on the internet.
- I understand that these rules are designed to keep me safe now and in the future. If I break the rules, teachers will investigate, I may be disciplined and my parents/carers may be contacted. If I break the law the police may be informed.
For further information on our Child Protection, Online Safety and Safer Recruitment policies, please visit our Policies page here
CEOP is a law enforcement agency and is here to keep children and young people safe from sexual exploitation and abuse. To start your report to one of CEOP’s Child Protection Advisors, please access the CEOP site by clicking the logo below:
