Safeguarding – Everyone’s Responsibility
At The Heights Academy, the safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority. Safeguarding is about more than protecting children from harm – it is about creating a safe, supportive environment where every child can thrive, learn, and grow with confidence. Our commitment to safeguarding is embedded in every aspect of our school culture, ensuring that each child is protected, respected and valued. We expect all staff, pupils, volunteers and visitors to our school to share this commitment.
What schools do:
- Provide a safe, welcoming environment where children feel listened to and respected.
- Teach pupils about staying safe, both online and in the wider world.
- Train all staff in safeguarding procedures, including how to recognise and respond to concerns.
- Work closely with parents, carers, and local agencies to provide support when needed.
- Follow clear policies and procedures to protect children from harm.
- Ensure that Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) are highly trained and experienced so that they can confidently respond to any concerns raised about a child’s safety.
The Designated Safeguarding Leads at The Heights Academy are:
- Mrs Thomas, Deputy Headteacher, SENCO and Lead DSL
- Mrs Walker, Headteacher and Deputy DSL
- Miss Hughes, Pupil Wellbeing & Engagement Lead and Deputy DSL
What Parents and the Community can do:
- Talk openly with children and encourage them to share any worries.
- Be alert to changes in behaviour that may indicate something is wrong.
- Communicate with the school if you have concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing.
- If you believe a child is at risk of harm, you must take action. Contact the school and ask to speak to a DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
If you are concerned about a child in Solihull:
- Contact Solihull Children’s Services on 0121 788 4300 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm).
- Outside these hours, call the Emergency Duty Team on 0121 605 6060.
- If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. By working together, we can help ensure that all children in Solihull are safe, supported, and able to flourish.
Safeguarding is defined as –
- Protecting children from maltreatment;
- Preventing impairment of children’s health or development;
- Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
- Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
The Heights Academy will fulfil its local and national responsibilities as laid out in the following documents: –
- The most recent version of Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE)
- The most recent version of Keeping Children Safe in Education: Statutory guidance for schools and colleges (DfE)
- Home – Solihull Safeguarding Children Partnership (safeguardingsolihull.org.uk)
- The Education Act 2002 s175 / s157
We will comply with any mandatory reporting responsibilities in these and other areas of safeguarding. We encourage parents or carers to speak to us if they have any concerns about these or other areas.