Safeguarding - Leigh Academy Strood

Safeguarding at Leigh Academy Strood is a priority and aims to protect the health, wellbeing, and safety of all pupils, especially the most vulnerable. We ensure young people are safe from harm, abuse, and neglect, and are supported to learn and thrive in a secure, nurturing environment.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We are committed to a culture of trust and vigilance, with the belief that “it could happen here”

Leigh academy Strood's safeguarding team

Contact the Leigh Academy Strood Safeguarding Team: safeguarding@strood.latrust.org.uk (school time only)

Safeguarding Leads

Designated Safeguarding Lead
Leanne Barlow, Assistant Principal

Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Julie Lindsay, Vice Principal

College Safeguarding Officers

Victory College
Samantha Cunningham

Hercules College
Victoria Barnes

Trafalgar College
Lisa Hurley-Sherwood

Atlas College
Ellie Hammon

Other Safeguarding Personnel

Designated Child in Care Teacher
Leanne Barlow, Assistant Principal

Looked after children information

Person Responsible for Children with Medical Conditions
Chris Pleasant, Deputy Principal

LAS Safeguarding Governor
Christian Markham

Pastoral
Intervention
Coordinator
Natasha Thomas

Young carers information

Safeguarding at Leigh Academy Strood

What does Safeguarding look like at Leigh Academy Strood?

We know what our roles and responsibilities are to keep you safe.
We take all allegations, suspicions and concerns seriously and report them properly.
We talk to other people about any concerns to develop the best way to help you.
We complete risk assessments to ensure that all potential dangers in activities have been identified.
We have themed assemblies, lessons and other opportunities where we learn about Safeguarding such as e-safety and anti-bullying.
We treat everyone fairly with dignity and respect.

What do children need to understand about Safeguarding?

All adults will listen to what you have to say with an open mind.
Adults will not ask leading questions so that you have to reveal more details.
If they are worried about your safety, they might invite another professional to talk to you.
Adults never stop us from freely talking or sharing about significant events
Adults will make accurate and specific notes of discussions to make sure that all concerns are recorded.
Adults will not promise to keep secrets.
They will explain that they have a responsibility to report what has been said to someone else if they are worried about your safety.
All adults will immediately tell the Safeguarding team if they are worried about your safety.

What should children do?

Speak to an adult at school if you are worried about something, it could be a teacher, your form tutor, your College Pastoral teams, your Head of College or one of the Safeguarding or Inclusion team
Be aware that you are not alone and that people will always help you
Be aware that there are lots of support services available

Where else can I find more information?

If you are in immediate danger – call the police
Advice around Online Safety
Advice around suicidal thoughts
Advice around Mental Wellbeing

Report a Safeguarding Concern Out of Academy Hours

If you are concerned about a safeguarding matter which is outside of academy hours, then please contact the Police on 101 or Medway Social Services on 01634 334466. If it is an emergency, then please contact 999.

Medway Social Care Referral

As parents/ carers, you can also self-refer to a number of services and there is a wealth of free support you can access online or via the phone to support your child. Further guidance and advice is provided from a variety of services outlined on the following websites: ChildLine, NSPCC and CYPMHS.