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Safeguarding
Success • Kindness • Aspiration
At The Skinners’ Kent Academy, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a culture where every student feels safe, valued, respected, and supported to achieve their full potential.
Our ethos of Success, Kindness and Aspiration underpins our approach to student wellbeing. We believe that all young people have the right to learn in an environment that is inclusive, nurturing and free from harm.
Our Commitment
- We place the safety and wellbeing of students above all else.
- We listen to students and take their concerns seriously.
- We promote positive relationships built on respect, kindness and understanding.
- We work closely with families, external agencies and the wider community to safeguard children.
- We encourage students to speak out if something does not feel right and to seek support from a trusted adult.
Anti-Bullying
The Skinners’ Kent Academy has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying.
We do not tolerate:
- Physical bullying
- Verbal abuse or discriminatory language
- Social exclusion and intimidation
- Online or cyberbullying
- Emotional bullying or harassment
Students are expected to be kind, respectful and responsible members of our community. Any reports of bullying are taken seriously, investigated promptly and addressed appropriately.
If You Need Help
If something is worrying you, you are not alone.
Students can:
- Speak to any trusted member of staff.
- Contact their House Tutor or Head of Year.
- Speak to a member of the Safeguarding Team.
- Use Student Wellbeing Drop Boxes.
- Visit Reception, where support can always be reached
- Email say_something@skinnerskent.org.uk
Safeguarding Leadership Team
The Academy's safeguarding provision is led by:
Mr B Flack - Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Miss C Finnis - Attendance & Safeguarding Lead
Miss H Knowles - Principal
Remember
If something doesn't feel right, talk to someone you trust.
We believe that fostering a safe and inclusive environment enables students to flourish both academically and personally. Safeguarding is not simply about protection from harm; it is about promoting wellbeing, positive relationships, personal responsibility and respect for others.
Our safeguarding culture is closely aligned with the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile, encouraging students to develop the attributes needed to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world:
- Caring students show empathy, compassion and kindness towards others, helping to create a community where everyone feels safe and supported.
- Principled students act with integrity, honesty and fairness, standing up for what is right and contributing to a culture of respect.
- Open-minded students value different perspectives and backgrounds, helping to promote inclusion and challenge discrimination.
- Knowledgeable students understand how to keep themselves and others safe, including online and in the wider community.
- Balanced students recognise the importance of physical health, mental wellbeing and healthy relationships.
- Communicators speak up when they have concerns, seek support when needed and help others access help.
- Reflective students consider the impact of their actions on themselves and others and learn from their experiences.
- Risk-takers demonstrate courage by reporting concerns, seeking help and supporting others when something is not right.
We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, including cyberbullying, discrimination, harassment and any behaviour that threatens another person's safety or wellbeing. We are also committed to being an allergy-aware community, recognising that safeguarding includes protecting the physical health of all members of our Academy.
By living our values and embracing the IB Learner Profile attributes, we work together to ensure that The Skinners' Kent Academy remains a place where every member of the community feels safe, respected and able to succeed.
Online Safety
In an increasingly connected world, staying safe online is an important part of safeguarding.
At The Skinners’ Kent Academy, we are committed to helping students use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully. We educate students about online risks and empower them to make informed choices when using social media, gaming platforms, messaging services and other digital technologies.
We encourage students to:
- Protect their personal information and privacy online.
- Think carefully before sharing photos, videos or comments.
- Treat others with kindness and respect in all online interactions.
- Report inappropriate, harmful or concerning content.
- Speak to a trusted adult if they experience cyberbullying, online harassment, exploitation, grooming or any online activity that makes them feel uncomfortable.
- Use Academy technology and digital resources responsibly and in line with Academy expectations.
We recognise that online safety is not only about technology but also about building resilience, critical thinking and positive digital citizenship.
Online Safety and the 4 Cs
As a digitally connected school, we educate students about the 4 Cs of Online Safety and encourage them to become responsible digital citizens:
- Content: Understanding how to access reliable information and recognising harmful, misleading or inappropriate content.
- Contact: Staying safe when interacting online and knowing how to report unwanted or inappropriate communication.
- Conduct: Demonstrating kindness, respect and responsibility online while understanding the impact of digital behaviour on others.
- Commerce: Making safe and informed choices online, understanding scams, financial risks and the importance of protecting personal information.
By developing these skills, students become Knowledgeable, Principled and Reflective learners, capable of navigating the online world safely and responsibly.
Remember: If something online makes you feel worried, unsafe, pressured or uncomfortable, save the evidence if possible, block the person where appropriate, and tell a trusted adult immediately. There is always support available.
Helpful Safeguarding Information and Support
We encourage students, parents and carers to seek advice and support whenever needed. The following organisations provide trusted information and guidance on a wide range of safeguarding issues:
General Safeguarding
- NSPCC: Support, advice and information for children, families and professionals.
- Childline: Free, confidential support for young people, 24 hours a day. Call 0800 1111 or click here.
Online Safety
- CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command): Report online exploitation, grooming or worrying online contact.
- Thinkuknow: Age-appropriate online safety education and advice from CEOP. [ceop.police.uk]
- Internet Matters: Advice for children, parents and carers on digital safety, social media and gaming.
Reporting Harmful Online Content
- Internet Watch Foundation (IWF): Report child sexual abuse material and harmful content online [nspcc.org.uk], [internetmatters.org]
- Report Remove: For young people who want sexual images removed from the internet [nspcc.org.uk]
Mental Health and Wellbeing
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YoungMinds: Mental health advice and support for young people and families [internetmatters.org]
-
Kooth: Free online emotional wellbeing and counselling service for young people.
Kent Safeguarding Support and Advice
If you are worried about a child, need safeguarding advice, or require support for yourself or someone else, the following local services can help.
Kent Front Door (Integrated Children's Services Portal)
The Kent Front Door is the main route for reporting concerns about a child's safety or wellbeing. Requests for support can be submitted through the Kent Children's Portal. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. For urgent concerns outside normal working hours, contact the Out of Hours Service on 03000 41 91 91. Kent Safeguarding Children
Kent Children's Portal Request for Support
Kent Safeguarding Children Multi-Agency Partnership (KSCMP)
Provides safeguarding guidance, procedures, training and advice for professionals, families and young people across Kent. The KSCMP also provides guidance on what to do if you are worried about a child.
Click here to visit their website
Kent Police
If a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm, call 999. For non-emergency concerns, call 101.
