Downsend School takes it’s responsibilities to pupils, staff and the local community very seriously and therefore adheres to a strict and compliant set of policies. Our policies are reviewed annually and can be accessed via the website or by contacting the Downsend Team. All Downsend policies incorporate Downsend+, our holiday care programme, unless stated otherwise.
Communication between the school, parents and pupils is vital in ensuring our children’s success, as well as their well-being. We take responsibility very seriously for the health and safety of all the children in our care. We believe in positive learning differences where every child is supported and extended irrespective of ability within our educational care. Children with mild learning difficulties, will be supported by extra help within the classroom from the teacher or assistant, and where required will have additional lessons with the Learning Support teacher. Those children benefiting from a particular stretch in their learning will be supported within our Gifted and Talented programme.
Downsend has strong values, recognising and rewarding good behaviour and good manners in our children through the ‘Spirit of Downsend’ Award. And we expect the same high levels of behaviour from our staff and parents. We are a non-denominational school and encourage pupils of all faiths and cultures to embrace difference in one another and to celebrate individual achievements both personal and those of others.
Anti-Bullying Alliance
Together we can stop bullying and create safe environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn. Cognita Schools has signed up to eradicate bullying in our schools, working in partnership as an associate member of the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA); based at the renowned charity, the National Children’s Bureau in London. ABA is a coalition of organisations and individuals working together to stop bullying. ABA coordinates anti-bullying week each November and is the national voice for evidence-based practice in this field. We access specialist training for all our schools, respect difference and welcome diversity. Our schools’ anti-bullying policies support the values of ABA. We believe that bullying in any form is wrong and should not be tolerated. It is a behaviour choice and anyone can be encouraged to change their behaviour. We believe that children have the right to feel safe, secure and valued and that creating a safe environment and dealing with bullying is everyone’s responsibility. We support a range of positive strategies in our schools to tackle and prevent bullying. We actively challenge the use of humiliation, fear, ridicule and other similar approaches. Our policy is implemented whenever the school is responsible for the conduct and welfare of children. As successful schools, we create an environment that prevents bullying from being a serious problem in the first place. Schools that excel at tackling bullying have created an ethos of good behaviour where pupils treat one another and school staff with respect because they know it is the right way to behave.
Find out more about the Anti-Bullying Alliance.
CEOP Help support and advice centre
Need immediate help?
Do you need immediate help or have a real emergency? If so call 999 or contact your local police here:
- In England or Wales
- In Northern Ireland
- In Scotland
When should I report to CEOP?
We help children stay safe online. Has someone acted inappropriately towards you online, or to a child or young person you know? It may be sexual chat, being asked to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable or someone being insistent on meeting up. You can report it to us below.
Remember if you need immediate help call 999
Other people who can help
For advice and to seek help on a range of issues, from hacking to cyberbullying, click here.
