New Heights School ensures children learn in a safe, caring and enriching environment. Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, to develop positive and healthy relationships, how to avoid situations where they might be at risk including by being exploited.

New Heights School also has a statutory responsibility to share any concerns it might have about a child in need of protection with other agencies and in particular police, health and children’s services. Schools are not able to investigate child protection concerns but have a legal duty to refer them. In most instances, the school will be able to inform the parents/carers of its need to make a referral. 

However, sometimes the school can in certain circumstances share information without the consent of the family and may be advised by children’s services or police that the parent/carer cannot be informed whilst they investigate the matter or make enquires. We understand the anxiety parents/carers understandably feel when they are not told about any concerns from the outset. The school follows legislation that aims to act in the interests of the child.

We will always seek to work in partnership with parents and other agencies to ensure the best possible outcomes for the child and family.

Safeguarding children – the action we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm – is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play.

The safety and welfare of ALL our pupils and staff is paramount. We provide a safe education environment where we respect and value the children and expect the same of them. We welcome enquiries about how we meet our safeguarding and protection responsibilities.

We are trained to be alert to signs of abuse and neglect and have procedures in place to ensure our staff and young people are protected.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have concerns about any child in our care.