We all have a statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children and young people in our care

We have safeguarding policies and systems in place to help their safety and ensure a consistent approach to practices throughout the school, followed by all staff.

We are committed to working closely with parents and carers for the benefits of our pupils. We also work with a range of professionals to support our pupils and their families to get the right help at the right time.

Out of Hours

Our school’s opening times are 8.00am until 4.00pm Monday to Friday. Outside of these times, and during school holidays, you will not be able to contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead or the Designated Safeguarding Deputies; any messages left will be responded to when we return to school.

If you have any concerns about the welfare of a child or young person during these times, please contact the Sheffield Safeguarding Hub on 0114 273 4855 (24-hour service).

If you think a child or a young person is in immediate danger, please call the Police on 999 at any time.

If you are a child or young person and are worried or feel unsafe then you can get help from Childline a free, private and confidential service. You can chat online or on the phone, 0800 1111, any time.

Key Documents

Our school safeguarding policies are available on the policies page.

Useful Links

Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance for schools on safeguarding children and safer recruitment.

Working Together To Safeguard Children multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.

Prevent duty to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

Sheffield Directory Get information and advice, and discover local groups, activities and services in your area.

Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership Sheffield Safeguarding Children Partnership (SCSP) operates in line with the requirements of the statutory guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children' and covers the geographical area of Sheffield.

Operation Encompass an initiative which enhances communication between the police and schools where a child or young person is at risk from domestic abuse.

Community wellbeing links for families.

Educate Against Hate is a government‑backed website offering clear, practical advice for parents, teachers and school leaders on protecting children from extremism and radicalisation.

Below is some additional information to help parents understand the risks and the support available.

What is extremism?
Extremism is the vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values such as democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance.

What is radicalisation?
Radicalisation is the process through which someone comes to support extremist ideas or terrorism, and in some cases may become involved with extremist groups.

Children and young people can be vulnerable to materials or influences that promote extremist views. Schools, local authorities and other public bodies have a legal duty to help prevent people from being drawn into terrorism, including offering support through the Channel programme when needed.

Risks relating to extremism now form part of the criteria used to identify whether a child needs early help, specialist intervention or protection.

Concerned about a child?
If you believe a child or young person may be at risk of radicalisation or extremism, please contact the Sheffield Safeguarding Hub on 0114 273 4855.

Possible warning signs include:

  • Withdrawing from family or friends
  • Speaking in a way that sounds scripted or rehearsed
  • Being unwilling or unable to discuss their views
  • Sudden disrespect towards others
  • Increased anger or irritability
  • Secrecy around online activity

Young people who are vulnerable may also have low self‑esteem or be experiencing bullying or discrimination. Extremist groups may target them by offering a sense of belonging and encouraging them to distance themselves from family and friends.

Online Safety

Children and young people use the internet regularly and may be involved in more online activity than their parents and carers. Some children and young people may have greater technical knowledge than their parents and carers, but they may be unable to identify the risks of giving too much personal information online, and may be unable to spot scams as readily as adults. So, take time to get involved with your child’s or young person’s internet use and teach them about online safety which includes the following.  

Staying Safe Online

  • Don’t post any personal information online – like your address, email address or mobile number.
  • Think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself.  Once you’ve put a picture of yourself online most people can see it and may be able to download it, it’s not just yours anymore.
  • Keep your privacy settings as high as possible
  • Never give out your passwords
  • Don’t befriend people you don’t know
  • Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online.  Speak to your parent or carer about people suggesting you do
  • Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are
  • Think carefully about what you say before you post something online
  • Respect other people’s views, even if you don’t agree with someone else’s views doesn’t mean you need to be rude
  • If you see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried: leave the website, turn off your computer if you want to and tell a trusted adult immediately.

Further information is available on the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) website: Online safety | ICO

CEOP – Online Safety

If children or young people, or parents or carers are worried about the way someone has been communicating with a child or young person online, you can visit Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command online to make a report and seek support using the link below:

CEOP Safety Centre

Anti-Bullying

Bullying is unacceptable at Meynell Primary and will not be tolerated. We are proud to hold the Gold Award from the Anti-Bullying Alliance’s All Together Programme in recognition of our whole‑school approach.

Bullying is repeated, intentional behaviour that hurts another individual or group, where there is an imbalance of power.

Forms of Bullying

  • Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, biting, pinching.
  • Verbal: name-calling, teasing, threats, sarcasm, spreading rumours.
  • Emotional: excluding others, intimidation, humiliation, hiding belongings.
  • Sexual: unwanted touching, abusive comments, homophobic language.
  • Online/Cyber: harmful posts, photos, messages, or exclusion online.
  • Indirect: manipulation, coercion, or exploitation.

Bullying may be motivated by prejudice, including:

  • Disablist bullying: based on SEND.
  • HBT bullying: homophobic, biphobic, or transphobic bullying.
  • Racist bullying: based on ethnicity, culture, language, or skin colour.
  • Sexist bullying: based on sex or gender stereotypes.
  • Bullying based on difference: real or perceived (hobbies, interests, family setup, etc.).

 

For Parents/Carers

You can report concerns by:

  • speaking to any staff member (class teacher, SLT, learning engagement team)
  • contacting school by phone or email

For Pupils

Children can:

  • talk to any adult in school
  • use the ‘Thoughts and Feelings’ bag in every classroom
  • (Years 4–6) use the bullying concerns post box, checked daily

 

  • We ensure the child being targeted is safe and supported.
  • The Senior Behaviour Coordinator or SLT will speak to everyone involved and complete a Bullying Incident Log.
  • The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is informed if there are safeguarding concerns.
  • Staff and parents/carers will be updated as appropriate.
  • Bullying outside school hours (including cyberbullying) will still be investigated, and action will be taken in line with our behaviour policy.