Student Support & Safeguarding

Our students’ safety and well-being is our first priority as it is only with that secure that we can enable each child to flourish in our school.

Student Support

The first point of contact for students and parents with a problem is our Student Support Office and the team is made up of four skilled and caring Student Support Officers:

  •  Deb Wykes – Student Support Lead
  •  Sabrina Lowbridge – Student Support Officer
  •  Louise Bowles – Student Support Officer
  •  Ashley Tweedie – Student Support Officer

The Student Support Team’s role is broad-ranging; it could be a lost bag or an urgent message to home; it could be mentoring or attendance support; or it could be dealing with social workers or the emergency services.

With well over 1,000 students, there is never a dull or quiet moment in Student Support Office and the team are tireless in their commitment to our children.

House Support

Following this, every student has a form tutor who they see each morning and can approach with any problems or concerns.

Above this, each of the four Houses has a Head of House who co-ordinates the fun and support that our House system embodies.

Beyond this, we make it clear that any student can approach any member of staff whom they feel comfortable with, though we naturally emphasise that we cannot keep secrets and have to work with colleagues to protect and support their welfare.

Safeguarding

The definition for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education – Statutory Guidance for Schools & Colleges’ (September 2019)’ is:

  •  protecting children from maltreatment
  •  preventing impairment of children’s health or development
  •  ensuring children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
     taking action to enable all children to have the best outcome

Our school takes our safeguarding role very seriously and the safety and welfare of our students is always our first priority. Our Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection Policy is available on the Policies section of the school website.

If you have any safeguarding concerns about any student at The Friary School, or any other child, then your key contacts are:

  •  Designated Safeguarding Lead – Ian Rose
  •  Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead – Luke Baker
  •  Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead – Steve Neale
  •  Nominated Governor for Safeguarding – Ann Carlisle
  •  Headteacher – Matt Allman
  •  Chair of Governors – Jane Mackenzie

All of the school representatives can be contacted via school reception (Tel – 01543 267 400) or office@friaryschool.co.uk.

Alternatively, if you are seeking to report a concern outside of school hours, then your contacts are:

For more information about how Student Support and Safeguarding, please contact Luke Baker, Assistant Headteacher, via office@friaryschool.co.uk.