Safeguarding at RPS
At Roundwood Park School safeguarding is given the very highest priority.
It is of paramount importance that all our students are safe and well cared for.
Safeguarding includes our commitment to safe recruitment of staff, security around the building, child protection, anti-bullying, online and e-safety, equality, PREVENT duty and many other areas. We make sure all policies under the safeguarding umbrella are reviewed regularly. The school’s child protection procedures are in accordance with the Hertfordshire Child Protection Policy. We have an experienced safeguarding team which includes the Designated Safeguarding Lead, who is also the Assistant Headteacher for Personal Development and Wellbeing, as well as eight Deputy Safeguarding Leads. The team works together to oversee safeguarding concerns via CPOMS (Child Protection Online Management System) as well as working collaboratively to train and advise the wider staff to ensure they have a thorough understanding of safeguarding and are able to identify and report concerns. The team then plans and coordinates support, as well as action, involving outside agencies as necessary.
At Roundwood Park students who report concerns will be listened to and supported as appropriate. Parents and carers should also be aware that the school has a legal duty to cooperate fully with all of the organisations concerned with the welfare and safeguarding of children and young people. This could mean that in some circumstances a referral may need to be made to Children’s Services without communicating with parents first.
Key Contacts at Roundwood Park School
| Role | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Designated Safeguarding Lead | Hannah Semple | h.semple@roundwoodpark.co.uk |
| Deputy Safeguarding Lead(s) | Laura Davies | l.davies@roundwoodpark.co.uk |
| Jennie Hall | j.hall@roundwoodpark.co.uk | |
| Tracey McAlinney | t.mcalinney@roundwoodpark.co.uk | |
| Sue Wilkins | s.wilkins@roundwoodpark.co.uk | |
| Paula Cunningham | p.cunningham@roundwoodpark.co.uk | |
| Fiona Bridgman | f.bridgman@roundwoodpark.co.uk | |
| Carl Rowlands | c.rowlands@roundwoodpark.co.uk | |
| Mental Health Lead | Holly Jackson | h.jackson@roundwoodpark.co.uk |
| Headteacher | Alan Henshall | head@roundwoodpark.co.uk |
| Chair of Governors | Heather Bayne | h.bayne@roundwoodpark.co.uk |
| Vice Chair of Governors | Catherine Marke | c.marke@roundwoodpark.co.uk |
| Safeguarding Trustee | Eve Audis | e.audis@roundwoodpark.co.uk |
As you may be aware, Ofsted has published its findings from a 2021 review into sexual abuse in schools and colleges. This was commissioned in response to the large number of anonymous postings on the Everyone’s Invited website regarding experiences involving harassment and abuse of young people. The research and analysis report can be found here if you would like to read more. It will stimulate further discussion, review and action planning in Hertfordshire to ensure we make our schools as safe as possible for all young people.
We can assure you that this is a matter that is taken most seriously at Roundwood Park and that we will work with families to promote a healthy and respectful environment for everyone.
You can read the letter sent to parents and carers in June 2021 here:
