Children at Magdalene House are happy, safe and confident in their environment. Every child is treated as an individual whose potential our teachers seek to find and nurture.
Those first years in school lay the foundation for children’s learning throughout the rest of their lives. Children learn how to socialise with their peers in their own class as well as those in other year groups and celebrate differences. The older children are role models for the younger ones and are often seen helping them, guiding them and teaching them in the playground. We help pupils to find ways in which they learn best and keep them focused on reaching their goals while forging lifelong friendships.
House System
The children are divided into one of four houses: Clarkson, Peckover, Holmes or Sparks.
Pupils gain points-up for working hard academically, representing the school in a way that deserves recognition, or to mark a special achievement. The purpose of our weekly Star Assembly is to celebrate such successes.
House Captains are chosen from Prep 6 and these pupils take a leading part in House Assemblies.
Circle Time
In Circle Time each child has the opportunity to express his or her ideas and feelings, within the safety of the class group. Discussion is directed as confidential. This system promotes positive behaviour through a deeper understanding of the thoughts and feelings of others.
Supervision
Pupils are always accompanied by an adult when moving around the school and its environs. Similarly, they are encouraged to think about their own contribution to a safe and healthy environment. All the staff hold current First Aid certificates.
Child Protection
The school has a well-established child protection policy and all staff receive regular training. At least two members of staff are given special training and are the appointed designated Child Protection Officers.
Safeguarding
Statement of the responsibilities placed on the school and staff in relation to child protection
Under the Education Act 2002 (section 175/157), schools must “make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children”.
We will endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued.
The School will therefore be alert to signs of abuse and neglect and will follow the Local
Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures to ensure that children receive appropriate and effective support and protection.
Parents/carers should know that the law requires all school staff to pass on information which gives rise to a concern about a child’s welfare, including risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse. The school should make parents/carers aware that records of welfare concerns may be kept about their child. They should be informed that school staff will seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with them including referrals to other agencies. However, in situations where the child is suspected to be at risk of harm, the law says that schools may take advice from other agencies without informing parents/carers.
In accordance with local Information Sharing protocols, we will ensure that information is shared securely and sensitively. Information will only be shared with other services where it is deemed necessary and proportionate to ensure that children and young people are safe and receive the right service.
Schools will seek advice from Social Care when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Occasionally, concerns are passed on which are later shown to be unfounded. Parents/carers will appreciate that the member of staff in the school with responsibility for child protection (known as the
Designated Person for Child Protection) was carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and acting in the best interests of all children.
Under Section 3 (5) of the Children Act 1989, schools or any person who has care of a child “may….do what is reasonable in all the circumstances of the case for the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the child’s welfare”.
This means that on rare occasions, a school may need to “hold” a child in school whilst Social Care and the police investigate any concerns further.
For further details please read our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
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