We take our Safeguarding role extremely seriously at St. Francis’ College. The safety and wellbeing of every student is of paramount importance to us and underpins everything that we do at the College.
Whilst a student can talk to any member of staff, such as their form tutor or Head of Year, if they have any concerns or worries; we have trained members of staff who act as our Designated Safeguarding Leads. These members of staff have specialised training and are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of every student. These members of staff are (click here to see a full list of contacts):
Mr Julia Spence (Deputy Head & Designated Safeguarding Lead) - jspence@st-francis.herts.sch.uk
Mrs Charlotte McDermott (Head of Years 9 & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead) - cmcdermott@st-francis.herts.sch.uk
Mr Daniel Carr (Director of Studies & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead) - dcarr@st-francis.herts.sch.uk
Mr John Sample (Head of Prep & Designated Safeguarding Lead) - jsample@st-francis.herts.sch.uk
Mrs Jo Day (Head of EYFS, Key Stage One & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead) - jday@st-francis.herts.sch.uk
Mrs Jane Bedborough (Head of Boarding) - jbedborough@st-francis.herts.sch.uk
Mrs Carrie Askew (ILG Safeguarding Governor) - operations@inspiredlearninggroup.co.uk
The College’s full Safeguarding Policy is available here.
Where we feel that a student may need additional support, the College will liaise with the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) of the student’s residential area. Whilst this will normally be Hertfordshire MASH, the College does work with other county providers. In most cases where such support is needed, the College will discuss and arrange this support in conjunction with parents. However, where the College feels that such notification can put a student at further risk of harm, the College will refer without parental consent. This is in accordance with the statutory guidance, as outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education (2022).
If you have any concerns about a child outside of school time you can call the local Multi Agency Support Hub (MASH) for advice on 0300 123 4043. If you believe that a child is in immediate danger, you should call 999. All members of College staff receive regular Safeguarding training including Prevent Training. All safeguarding concerns are overseen by the Safeguarding team of Designated Safeguarding Leads.
Our aim is to be as transparent as possible, to share safeguarding concerns with relevant personnel to ensure we are providing a ‘safe’ environment for students and staff alike. The College uses MyConcern as a means of communicating and recording safeguarding and wellbeing concerns.
Throughout the academic year, the College organises and/or delivers a range of assemblies, guest speakers, tutor time activities, workshops and activities to develop students’ own understanding of keeping safe and supporting each other during challenging times; to include topics such as safe and healthy relationships, online grooming, e-safety, anti-bullying, anxiety, exams, respect, PREVENT and more.
We have a school counsellor employed by the College, who through a referral process, will work with students to listen and to provide them with the coping mechanisms they may need to help them through difficult and challenging periods in their life.
The School Nursing team work closely with our Safeguarding Leads, meeting the Designated Safeguarding Lead on a weekly basis. They also act as first-aid teams to ensure students continue to receive support around keeping healthy, immunisations, emotional health, weight management, sexual health, drugs & alcohol, smoking and more.
Should you, as a parent/carer or student, have any safeguarding concerns that you wish to share with the College please follow our contacts link below to direct to the right member of our Safeguarding team.
Contact can be made through our main school telephone number 01462 670511. Should you not wish to go via Reception, please email the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Head directly on jspence@st-francis.herts.sch.uk
From time to time, we will release useful and relevant safeguarding notices and materials to parents/carers. These will be uploaded to the relevant sub-sections of this Safeguarding page.