At The Aspire Academy we regard the safeguarding of the children in our care as our main priority. We believe that we all have the right to be happy, to be safe and to learn and we all have the responsibility to make this happen.
We will ensure that:
- The welfare of the child remains paramount.
- All children whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/ or sexual identity have the right to be protected from harm.
- All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
- All staff and volunteers working at our school have a responsibility to report all safeguarding concerns to one of the following people: Mr. Richard Rainbird-Hitchins (Designated Safeguarding Lead), Mrs. Jo Weston (Deputy Safeguarding Lead), Mrs. Jodi Conyers (Deputy Safeguarding Lead), Mrs. Zoe Kingston (Deputy Safeguarding Lead), Nick Bruton (Deputy Safeguarding Lead), Claire Windsor-Peplow (Deputy Safeguarding Lead), Mike Grimes (Deputy Safeguarding Lead), Beata Payne (SENCO), Mr. Simon Stevenson (Headteacher), Mrs. Carol Hart (Safeguarding Governor).
Guidance, Policies and Procedures
The Esteem MAT’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, September 2025 and The Aspire Academy’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures, September 2025 are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are presented to Governors for ratification.
Please note that paper copies of all of our safeguarding information, policies and procedures are available in school.
All staff are aware of relevant Government guidance connected to Child Protection and Safeguarding – see images below (click on each image to access the full document) :
The Aspire Academy’s Safeguarding Children policy (including Child Protection) has been developed in accordance with the principles established by Section 175 of the Children Act 2002, which places a duty on schools and local authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils; Keeping Children Safe in Education, September 2025 ; The School Staffing Regulations (England) 2009 which sets out what must be recorded on the single central record and the requirement for at least one person on a school interview/appointment panel to be trained in safer recruitment techniques; Working Together to Safeguard Children, December 2023, which provide statutory guidance on inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; Part 3 of the Schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 which places a duty on academies and independent schools to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; The Children Act 1989 (and 2004 amendment), which provides a framework for the care and protection of children; Section 5B(11) of The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003; as inserted by section 74 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 which places a statutory duty on teachers to report to the police where they discover that female genital mutilation (FGM) appears to have been carried out on a girl under 18; Statutory Guidance on FGM, April 2016, updated October 2018, which sets out responsibilities with regards to safeguarding and supporting girls affected by FGM; The Rehabilitation of Offender Act 1974, which outlines when people with criminal convictions can work with children; Schedule 4 of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, which defines what ‘regulated activity’ is in relation to children; Statutory Guidance on the Prevent Duty, updated March 2024, which explains schools’ duties under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2019 with respect to protecting people from the risk of radicalisation and extremism; the Multi-Agency Levels of Need Guidance September 2017 and the Worcestershire County Council Professional Practitioner Resources and Information Guidance.
Children’s Commissioner website
Young Person’s Guide to Working Together to Safeguard Children
Safer Working Practice for Staff in Education Settings, document 33A, October 2016
Members of Staff Responsible for Safeguarding
All staff employed by The Aspire Academy are responsible for Safeguarding our pupils and for ensuring that each child remains safe, however the Designated Safeguarding Lead for Child Protection and Safeguarding is Mr. Richard Rainbird-Hitchins.
Safer Recruitment
We follow strict procedures to ensure that everyone who works with our children is vetted, keeping our children as safe as possible. Ongoing checks and ‘whistle-blowing’ procedures are in line with current policy. Staff are rechecked every two years using the Disclosure and Barring Service, therefore ensuring that all records are kept accurate and up to date. The Aspire Academy Free School Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and young people in their care and will look to an enhanced DBS and references from previous appropriate employers prior to any employment being taken up.
Staff Training
All staff at The Aspire Academy are trained in Child Protection and Safeguarding issues and are aware of the procedures to follow. Regular training takes place throughout the school year including training on:
- Whole School Training, policies and procedures connected to Child Protection and Safeguarding Children
- Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
- Prevent Duty
- Domestic Violence
- Gangs
- Drugs and Alcohol
- Children Affected by Imprisonment
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
- Contextual Safeguarding
- Sexting
A full list of staff training connected to Child Protection and Safeguarding is kept by The Designated Safeguarding Lead.
