Safeguarding and Care

Safeguarding at Charles Darwin School

There can be no issue of greater importance to parents and carers, or to schools, than the safety of their children; safeguarding remains high on Ofsted’s agenda and schools are encouraged to give an appropriate high priority to getting their safeguarding procedures right.

There is no reason why good practice in safeguarding should not be a feature of every school; at Charles Darwin School, we are striving for this practice to be recognised as excellent. We comply with requirements and often move beyond them; it is not seen as a burden but as a reasonable and essential part of the fabric of the school; we pay attention to the meticulous and systematic implementation of policies and routines; it involves every member of the school community in some way; and we have a sharp eye on the particular circumstances and needs of all pupils, especially the most vulnerable.

The name of the school’s Safeguarding lead is Mrs Louise Rees. If any member of our community has a concern about a pupil or member of staff’s welfare, they should contact Mrs Rees in the first instance at: DSL@cdarwin.com  In her absence, the Deputy Safeguarding leads: Miss Broadbridge,  Mrs Jo Haywood or Mrs Rebecca Kearney will respond to you from the dedicated email address.  The  Safeguarding Governor is Mrs Helen Hartley.

The following policies and documents should reassure parents, carers and pupils that we try our upmost to replicate recognised excellent practice as cited by OFSTED in Safeguarding in schools: best practice September 2011 (revised August 2016). All staff receive a copy of the School's Safeguarding Policy (see below) every September and receive regular and timely updates throughout the year. All staff have also received a copy of "Keeping Children Safe in Education"  since September 2016 as the statutory guidance requests.

Click here for the Bromley Safeguarding site

Click here for the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) website

Click here for the KCSIE 2025

Click here for Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy - Charles Darwin School 

Click here for Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy - Inicio Educational Trust 

Safeguarding of Young People

Charles Darwin School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  

We will seek references on short-listed candidates and may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications, before interview.  Relevant issues arising from references will be taken up at interview.

 For applicants currently working with children, on either a paid or voluntary basis, your current employer will be asked about disciplinary offences relating to children and whether you have been the subject of any child protection concerns.  For applicants who are not currently working with children but have done so in the past, that previous employer will be asked about these issues.   Providing false information is an offence and could result in the application being rejected, or summary dismissal if you have been selected and possible referral to the police.

Any offer of employment will be subject to a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure and full background checks.

 All of our teaching staff are employed under national conditions.  The School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document is binding on the school and regulates the employment of School Teachers.  The document can be accessed at: http/www.teachernet.gov.uk.

Designated Safeguarding Team