Thameside Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We aim to provide a positive, safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued.

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy which can be viewed in the policies section on our website. Safeguarding policies are reviewed regularly by the Headteacher and Governing Body (at least annually) and updated in response to national guidance and model documents.

We ensure that our recruitment and selection practices reflect our commitment to safeguarding. All employees and volunteers who work with children are subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks in line with safer recruitment procedures, along with other relevant employment checks. These checks are recorded, together with other relevant information, on our Single Central Record (SCR). Audits of the SCR are undertaken termly by the school safeguarding governor.

Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child's welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child's welfare.

All Thameside staff and governors have undertaken and are up to date with safeguarding training, as well as receiving on-going support and information to help them execute their safeguarding responsibilities effectively. They are familiar with the definitions and signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect and are aware of their individual roles in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including their responsibility to be alert to any issues for concern in the child’s life at home or elsewhere.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead at Thameside is Mrs Sophie Greenaway (Headteacher). Our deputy DSLs are Mrs Ingrid Burton, Miss Christina Calvert, Mrs Charlotte Harkins, and Miss Sophie Roseaman. Our governor with responsibility for safeguarding is Dr Jo Cordy.

Contact information: 

DSL: Mrs Sophie Greenaway head@thameside.reading.sch.uk; 01189375551

Deputy DSLs: Mrs Burton deputy@thameside.reading.sch.uk ; Miss Calvert assistanthead@thameside.reading.sch.uk ; Mrs Harkins inclusion@thameside.reading.sch.uk 

Family Hub Lead & Deputy DSL: Miss Sophie Roseaman (for family support) familyhub@thameside.reading.sch.uk

Governors chair@thameside.reading.sch.uk