Safeguarding & eSafety

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The Beacon of Light School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students.

Each student’s welfare is of paramount importance and we welcome, value and support every child to the best of our abilities and resources.

We recognise that some young people may be especially vulnerable to abuse. We recognise too that children who are abused or neglected may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth, unable to view the world in a positive way.

Within the school, their behaviour may be challenging. We also recognise that some children who have experienced abuse may harm others. We will always take a considered and sensitive approach to provide the best possible care for all our students.

Everyone working in, or on the behalf of the school, shares a strong commitment to help keep our students and young people safe through:

  • Providing a safe environment for our students to learn and develop within our School setting and more widely externally, in collaboration with other academies and other partners and,
  • Identifying students who are suffering or who are likely to suffer significant harm, and who will take prompt and appropriate action with the aim of making sure they are safe at home and within the school.

We work tirelessly to ensure that safeguarding and child protection principles and process are systematically and consistently applied, but are not complacent, recognising that it is still possible that issues and concerns may arise in the best-prepared environments.

Accordingly, we are constantly vigilant and through for example promoting high standards of professional behaviour, constant awareness- raising and a pro-active approach to safeguarding, we seek at all times to be alert to all potential concerns.

In relation to children and young people, safeguarding and promoting their welfare is defined in ‘Working together to safeguard children’ as:

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

Safeguarding action may be needed to protect learners from:

  • neglect
  • physical, sexual or emotional abuse
  • bullying, including online bullying and prejudice-based bullying
  • racist, disability, homophobic or transphobic abuse
  • gender-based violence, or violence against women and girls
  • radicalisation or extremist behaviour
  • child sexual exploitation and trafficking
  • the impact of new technologies on sexual behaviour, for example ‘sexting’ and accessing pornography
  • teenage relationship abuse
  • substance misuse
  • issues that may be specific to a local area or population, for example gang activity and
  • youth violence
  • domestic violence
  • female genital mutilation
  • forced marriage
  • fabricated or induced illness
  • poor parenting, particularly in relation to babies and young children
  • any other issues that pose a risk to children, young people and vulnerable adults

Parents/carers should be aware that The Beacon of Light will take any reasonable action to ensure the safety of our learners.

Where we are concerned a learner may be at risk of significant harm, ill-treatment, neglect of other forms of abuse, we have no alternative but to follow Sunderland Safeguarding Children’s Board Procedures or Durham’s Safeguarding Children’s board Procedures can be found at here.

If you are concerned about a child:

  • Make a factual record of your concern.
  • Include day, date, time, other witnesses (if any), concerns and your signature.

An electronic copy of our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies are available to download at the bottom of this page, or a hard copy can be requested directly from school by writing to Beacon of Light School, Beacon of Light, Stadium Park, Sunderland, SR5 1SN.

Local Authority Designated Officer (Formerly known as the LADO)

Sunderland

0191 5613901

Durham

03000 268835

South Tyneside

0191 4246302

Discuss any concerns with school Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead:

  • Denise Taylor – Principal/DSL
  • Lindsay Howells – Deputy Principal/DDSL
  • Kim Newby – CEIAG Lead/DDSL

 

Knife/Offensive Weapon Protocol

Sunderland secondary schools have a dedicated education officer from the Violence Reduction Unit, Kerry Leask.  Kerry offers a number of sessions which are designed to provide advice and guidance around the subjects of knife crime, exploitation and online safety.  The attached flyer provides some more information.

The VRU are currently finalising a Knife/Offensive Weapon Protocol which will be published in a final version after half term.

The VRU are also developing a resource pack for primary schools around knife crime.  The pack will give primary school teachers everything they need to deliver a session on knife crime to young people in years five and six.  We will be in touch when this is available.

To support with communication to both parents and students please find below sample text for schools to include in documentation/letters to parents in respect of knife crime and Q&As around knife crime which schools can use to have conversations with young people.

Text for parents

Colleagues in the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and Northumbria Police have recently developed a protocol for schools around knife and weapon carrying.  The protocol provides clear guidance to schools around what we should do if a student does bring in a knife or a weapon.  The document also informs schools what will happen when the police get involved.

We want to reassure parents/carers that these incidents are very few and far between however if it does we will act in accordance with the protocol and guidance and with the best interests of our young people.

Information for Students

What is knife crime?  Knife crime is any crime involving a knife or bladed/pointed item. This includes owning or possessing a knife or other banned weapon and/or using a knife to threaten, injure or to commit another offence, such as theft or criminal damage.  

What does the law say about carrying knives?  The law states that you CANNOT carry a bladed or pointed item (including a folding pocketknife if the blade is more than 3 inches) in a public place without a good or lawful reason. This could be for your job if you are for example a chef or hairdresser, or you may enjoy hobbies such as fishing. However, if you are found to be carrying a knife and explain it is for reasons such as these, you must be able to show that you are either heading to or from work or have other equipment with you such as fishing rods etc.   

Some weapons that include knives and bladed items are banned and cannot be carried in public or even kept in private areas such as your own home. You can find the list of banned weapons here.    

Does everyone carry a knife?  We know that most young people don’t carry a knife, even if they might tell people they do.   We need everyone to be aware of what happens when you do carry a knife, and if you know of someone who does, it is important to play your part in preventing knife crime by reporting what you know to the police or a trusted adult such as your parents, teachers or youth workers, who are always there to help.   

Can someone check if I’m carrying a knife?  A police officer can stop and search you, as well as a member of school staff on education grounds or whilst on a visit under the care of staff, if they have reason to believe that you are carrying an offensive weapon or a bladed or pointed item, a firearm, drugs or stolen property. This is to keep you everyone safe and prevent a dangerous situation from happening.   

There are also other times when you might be checked for carrying these items such as when attending festivals, music events and theme parks.  

What happens if I’m caught with a knife?  If you are caught carrying a knife, even if you do not intend to use it, you could receive a community sentence, a fine or a prison sentence of up to 4 years – even if it's the first time that you’ve been found with a knife.  This means that even as a young person you could get a criminal record, which can stop you from doing certain jobs or where you are allowed to travel. 

THINK before picking up a knife.   

If I’m with my friends and one of them uses a knife, could I get into trouble?  Yes. This is known as a ‘Joint Enterprise’.  Joint Enterprise allows two or more people to be convicted and sentenced for the same crime, even if they had different levels of involvement, such as encouraging the offender or preventing the victim from escaping.  So, if you know someone who is carrying a knife, please contact the police or speak to a trusted adult such as your parents, teachers or youth workers, and together we can end knife crime?

Why shouldn’t I carry a knife?  Carrying a knife increases your risk of getting hurt and it is highly likely that you will become injured by your own knife.  If caught with a knife or bladed weapon you will be charged with possession - even if you are just holding it for someone else.  Whether you are carrying a knife or you are a victim, the consequences effect family, friends, emergency services and communities.   

My friend asked me to hold onto a knife for them, is that ok? No, never feel pressured to carry or hide a knife for someone. If you are caught with a knife or bladed item in your possession, it will be you that ends up in trouble.  Are they really a friend if they are putting you in danger?  If you are asked by someone to hold onto a knife, please contact the police or speak to a trusted adult such as your parents, teachers or youth workers, who are there to help.  

My mate is carrying a knife, what should I do?  Being a good friend isn’t always easy, but there are lots of places you can go to for help - either for a friend or yourself. You can talk to parents, teachers, youth workers, various charities or the police who can provide support.   You could help prevent your friend from making a terrible choice.  

What should I do if someone approaches me with a knife?  Never try to take the knife away from someone as it never ends well and you or someone else could get hurt.  

If you find yourself in a situation where someone has a knife, always run to safety and tell the police or a trusted adult once you are out of danger.  

If you don’t know where you are and need help, you can use What3Words which generates 3 words that you can share with the police or a trusted adult so that they can find you and provide support. What3Words is free, available for iOS and Android devices and it even works offline. 

Who suffers because of knife crime?  Knives impact everyone.  Whether you’re carrying a knife or you’re a victim, the consequences impact everyone; family, friends, emergency services and communities. 

How do I report a crime and get support?  

There are a range of services available to support you including: 

  • Northumbria Police: Contact 101 for support or 999 in an emergency. You can also find more information and report a crime by visiting www.northumbria.police.uk    
  • Fearless (crimestoppers) – For advice and to anonymously report crime visit www.fearless.org  
  • Support in the community: Speak to family, youth workers, sports/out of school coaches or tutors.  
  • Support in school: Speak to teachers and any other staff in school.  
  • Childline – provides support and advice for young people about a range of issues. Call 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk  
  • Northumbria Victim and Witness Service – For support for anyone who has been a victim of crime, visit https://nvws.northumbria.police.uk/