Loreto Grammar School

Safeguarding

Safeguarding at Loreto Grammar School

Loreto Grammar School is a Catholic community rooted in Christ and animated by the spirit and values of Mary Ward. Our vision is that every person is loved and valued as a sacred individual created by God, and that students enjoy an education that helps them grow into the fullness of life, empowered to be people of courage who are alive to the needs of humanity and committed to making a better world. We are a Catholic community committed to the dignity, wellbeing and protection of every student. 

As a community shaped by Gospel values and our Mary Ward values of Freedom, Sincerity, Justice, Truth, Joy, Excellence and Internationality, we are committed to creating and maintaining a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all students and staff.  

Our commitment to safeguarding is rooted in Gospel values and in statutory responsibilities: we expect the highest standards of behaviour, care and respect from all students and staff.  

We actively work to: 

  • create a culture where all children and young people feel safe, respected and valued. 
  • promote the welfare of students so that they can learn and grow with confidence. 
  • help students to understand how to keep themselves safe, including online and in their wider lives. 
  • ensure adults are alert to signs of harm, abuse or neglect and know how to respond appropriately. 
  • work in partnership with parents/carers and external agencies when it is in the best interests of the child.  
  • promote the wellbeing and protection of all students so that they can thrive academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. 
  • encourage high standards of behaviour, care and mutual respect in line with our Catholic ethos and values. 

Safeguarding Statement

Loreto Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, governors, volunteers, and visitors to share this commitment. All staff are trained to be vigilant in recognising signs of abuse, neglect and concerns about a student’s wellbeing, and to act on these swiftly and effectively.  

We have a comprehensive set of policies and procedures in place to support this commitment, including our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, which can be found in the Policies section of our website. 

In some circumstances, we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will consider the student’s best interests and discuss concerns with parents/carers first, unless we believe that doing so would place the child at greater risk. 

Prevent and Wider Safeguarding

Loreto Grammar School actively supports the Government’s Prevent duty to counter radicalisation and extremism. Staff receive regular training to ensure that concerns are identified and referred appropriately in accordance with statutory guidance. 

Key Safeguarding Contacts

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): 

Ms H Greene – Designated Safeguarding Lead 

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs): 

Mr T Newman, Mrs E Milton, Mrs C Lloyd-Davies – Deputy DSLs 

Designated Governor for Safeguarding: 

The appointed Governor with responsibility for safeguarding is Mrs P Brown (details available via the school office or website). 

Please contact the school at 0161 928 3703 or safeguarding@loretogrammar.co.uk if you have safeguarding concerns. 

Support and External Resources

For further support or information outside of the school, the following organisations may be useful: 

(Please refer to the full list of recommended resources on our policies page or via school communications.)

Additional Support and Resources

For additional support, students, parents and carers may find the following organisations helpful (please note these are third-party agencies): 

Operation Encompass

Operation Encompass is a national initiative that works in partnership with the police to support children and young people who have been involved in or affected by domestic abuse. This initiative ensures that the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is informed, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has been involved in a domestic abuse incident. This allows us to provide immediate support in a safe and confidential way, helping our students feel safe and nurtured.  
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils, and Operation Encompass is just one of the many ways we support the emotional well-being of children in our care.  

Visitors to the School

Visitors to Loreto Grammar School are expected to respect our safeguarding practices. When on site, all visitors must: 

  • Sign in at Reception and wear a visible visitor badge at all times. 
  • Provide DBS documentation if required. 
  • Be accompanied by a member of staff at all times if they do not have an enhanced DBS. 
  • Follow all school safeguarding and health instructions during the visit. 
  • Return their badge and sign out when leaving. 

Photography and recording of students is not permitted without prior consent. If you have any safeguarding concerns during your visit, please inform school Reception or the Designated Safeguarding Lead before you leave. 

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