Safeguarding
At Walberton & Binsted CE Primary School, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. We expect all staff, governors, volunteers, and visitors to share this commitment.
Key Safeguarding Contacts
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Joe Neale – Headteacher
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL):
George Pullen, Emma Dalziel
Safeguarding Governor:
Sue Cox
Our Commitment
Safeguarding means ensuring that every child is safe from harm. This includes protection from abuse, neglect, bullying, discrimination, and harassment. We are committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where all children feel secure, valued, and able to thrive.
Working in Partnership
We recognise that safeguarding is a shared responsibility. The school works closely with parents, carers, and external agencies to ensure the best outcomes for children.
Where there are concerns about a child’s welfare, we will normally discuss these with parents/carers first. However, if we believe that doing so may place the child at greater risk, we will act in the child’s best interests and seek advice or make a referral to the appropriate authorities.
The school has a legal duty to refer concerns to relevant safeguarding agencies where necessary.
Reporting a Concern
If you are concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a child at our school, please speak to one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads as soon as possible.
If you feel a concern is urgent or you are unable to contact the school, you can report directly to West Sussex Children’s Services – Integrated Front Door (IFD).
Policies
For further information, please refer to our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.
Operation Encompass
We are an Operation Encompass school. This means we work in partnership with the police to ensure that, when a child has been exposed to domestic abuse, the school is informed promptly so we can provide appropriate support and care.
Smartphone-Free School
From September 2026, Walberton & Binsted CE Primary School became a smartphone-free school.
Children are not permitted to bring smartphones or smart devices onto the school site. This includes smartwatches.
We have made this decision because smartphones and smart devices present safeguarding risks for primary-age pupils, including messaging, social media, image sharing and increased anxiety.
We respect that families will make their own decisions about devices outside school. However, on the school site, our priority is to keep children safe and free from the pressures linked to smartphones and smart devices.
Where children need a phone for travelling to and from school, we strongly encourage families to consider a simple text-and-call device rather than an internet-enabled smartphone.
We have been working with and following guidance from Smartphone Free Childhood to help us develop an approach that protects children, supports families and reduces the pressures linked to smartphones and smart devices.
Smartphone and Smart Devices Policy