Safeguarding

At Fishponds CE Primary School, safeguarding is central to our mission of providing a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment for every pupil. The school is committed to promoting the welfare of all children and ensuring that they feel protected, listened to and respected throughout their time with us.

As a Church of England school, our safeguarding culture is underpinned by our Christian values, which guide us in creating a community where children flourish academically, socially and emotionally. Every member of staff shares a collective responsibility to keep pupils safe, and we work proactively to identify concerns, respond swiftly and supportively, and ensure that the needs of every child are at the heart of our practice.

Fishponds CE Primary follows clear and robust safeguarding procedures in line with national statutory guidance and local authority expectations. Through regular staff training, strong pastoral systems and close partnerships with families and external agencies, we maintain a vigilant, well‑informed and child‑centred approach.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. At Fishponds CE Primary School, we are dedicated to making sure all pupils feel secure, valued and ready to thrive both in school and beyond.

Fishponds CE Primary School places a strong emphasis on supporting the wellbeing and pastoral needs of every pupil. The school promotes positive mental health through nurturing classroom environments, regular wellbeing check‑ins, restorative approaches to behaviour, and a curriculum that teaches children how to understand and express their feelings. Pupils are encouraged to share worries in safe and trusted spaces, and the school works closely with families and external agencies to ensure that appropriate support is available whenever needed. In addition to these whole‑school approaches, Fishponds CE Primary School is proud to have a trained ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) who provides targeted emotional and social support to children who may benefit from developing confidence, resilience, emotional regulation or friendship skills.

If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child outside of school hours, please contact First Response Bristol. You can call the team on 0117 903 6444 to discuss your concerns, make a referral - either named or anonymous - or seek advice about a child who may be at risk. If your concern relates to a child who is not your own, you should still contact First Response directly.

First Response Bristol ensures that children and families receive the right help, in the right place, at the right time. Further information about the support available can be found online.

Our Safeguarding Policy and other related documents can be viewed on our Policies page.