SAFER SCHOOL
Our school is a ‘Safer School’
Safer Schools
In 2007, Clee Hill Community Primary School was accredited a ‘Safer School’. This is a security/safety initiative and 15 years later, Mrs Little and her governors continue their enthusiastic involvement in the initiative. Recently, West Mercia Police and I attended an annual Safer School meeting to update the school’s involvement. An excellent meeting, covering all aspects of the security/safety process. This included a pro-active approach to security/safety, consultation with parents/carers/pupils through a survey, reflecting on any school issues and planning for the future. Overwhelmingly, the results of both parent/carer and pupil surveys were extremely reassuring. A future Safer School meeting is planned for Spring 2023 and Mrs Little was presented with an updated ‘Safer School’ certificate. Congratulations!
West Mercia Police and Shropshire Council support our school with the Safer School initiative. We are an accredited ‘Safer School’ and proud of our Safer School sign and certificate. The accreditation is reviewed every two years.
The initiative is a holistic, practical and realistic approach to school security and personal safety. It gives our school a clear focus on the subject and turns a negative subject into a positive one. It sets a minimum standard for school security.
The essential elements of the ‘Safer School’ process include:-
- Implementing a security policy that the governors have adopted.
- Consulting parents/carers and pupils/students for their views and updating them on any progress.
- Publicity of Safer Schools to school staff, pupils, school neighbours, parents and prospective parents.
- Establishing a Safer School Group. This Safer School Group is a partnership of school stakeholders – Headteacher/Deputy, staff, governors, parents, pupils, neighbours, Shropshire Council and West Mercia Police.
- Regularly reviewing and implementing good practice and essential security/safety measures for staff, pupils, the site and assets.
- Educating pupils through the Personal, Social, Health and Economic curriculum programme or the Safer School folder.
- A daily procedure for recording incidents should they occur i.e. trespass, burglary, theft, anti-social behaviour, vandalism, arson, suspicious activity etc., both during school hours and out-of hours.
- Solving real problems rather than perceived problems. Prioritising work (if any) and reviewing action.
- If there are security issues i.e. vandalism, anti-social behaviour etc., the intention of the initiative is to reduce/eliminate the issues.
