Safeguarding
At St Marie’s, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children are at the heart of everything we do. We want every child to feel safe, valued and supported.
All staff, governors and volunteers share responsibility for keeping children safe. We follow clear safeguarding policies and procedures, including our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy (available below). These set out how we prevent, identify and respond to concerns about a child’s welfare.
We work closely with families and, when needed, with outside agencies to make sure children get the right help at the right time. Wherever possible, we involve parents and carers, unless doing so could put a child at risk.
St Marie’s is:
- An Operation Encompass school – we work with the police to support children affected by domestic abuse.
- Active in the Prevent strategy – helping protect children from the risks of radicalisation and extremism.
- Committed to online safety – including teaching children about misinformation, disinformation and safe use of new technologies like AI.
- Guided by Sheffield Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) – ensuring we follow local and national safeguarding guidance.
- We also embed British Values across our curriculum, creating a safe, inclusive environment where differences are respected.
Everyone has a statutory duty to safeguard children. Any concerns or allegations about someone working with children must be reported straight to the Headteacher. If the concern is about the Headteacher, it should be reported to the Chair of Governors.
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is:
John Fernandes (Headteacher)
His office is located near the school main office
His telephone number is: 0114 2301904
Our Designated Safeguarding Deputy (DSD) is:
Alison Fenton
Her classroom is located in the KS2 area – Year 6
Her telephone number is 0114 2301904
Our Designated Safeguarding Deputy (DSD) and the Lead for Looked After and Vulnerable Children is:
Maria Fernandes (Deputy Headteacher)
Her office is located near the school main office
Her classroom is located in the Preschool
Her telephone number is 0114 2301904
Our Safeguarding Governors is:
Matt O’Connor
He can be contacted via the school office or on email:
moconnor@st-maries.sheffield.sch.uk
Our Chair of Governors is:
Bruce Byrne
He can be contacted via the school office or on email:
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please speak to us straight away.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Mr John Fernandes (Headteacher)
Deputy DSLs: Mrs Alison Fenton and Mrs Maria Fernandes
0114 2301904 | 
headteacher@st-maries.sheffield.sch.uk
You can also use our Whisper button (on this website) to share a concern. This is an anonymous, confidential service for pupils, parents, carers and the wider community. Messages go directly to our safeguarding team.
This is an anonymous reporting service for pupils, families and local community that allows you to send a message to a confidential school email account where staff experienced in responding to issues will receive it.
Other ways to get help:
Sheffield Safeguarding Hub – 0114 273 4855 (24 hours)
NSPCC Helpline – 0808 800 5000
Childline (for children and young people) – 0800 1111
Police (emergency): 999 | Police (non-emergency): 101
Online Safety Support for Parents and Carers
Parents and carers play a vital role in keeping children safe online. You don’t need to be a tech expert – the most important thing is to talk regularly with your child about what they do online and agree clear boundaries.
Tips include:
- Check apps, games and websites are age-appropriate
- Use parental controls provided by your internet or mobile provider
- Monitor screen time and encourage a healthy balance
- Remind children never to share personal information online
[Click here for practical guides and advice on online safety for families.]
Photographs and Videos in School
- We know families enjoy seeing children’s achievements. To protect all pupils:
- Photos and videos taken at school events are for personal family use only
- They must not be shared publicly (including on social media) if they show other children
- School also has a strict GDPR opt-in policy for using images of children on displays, newsletters and the website
Operation Encompass
St Marie’s is an Operation Encompass school. This means we work in partnership with South Yorkshire Police to provide timely support for children who may have experienced domestic abuse.
