Highcliffe St Mark Primary recognises that the welfare of the child is paramount: the needs and wishes of each child will be put first.  We take seriously our duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children in our care.  Safeguarding is led in our school by our team of Designated and deputy Designated safeguarding leads and by our governor responsible for safeguarding. However, we understand that safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility.

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy which can be viewed here.

​Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child's welfare. We will endeavour to ensure that our concerns about our children are discussed with his/her parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child's welfare, or circumstances exist that do not allow for that consultation and the school has to take independent action in order to ensure a child is safeguarded.

​We actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Mr G Withey and Deputy DSLs are Mrs C Barker, Mrs J Fuller, Mr D Whittaker, Mrs L Simmons, Mrs E Stansbie and Mrs P Pandit. If you ever have a safeguarding concern please talk to us. You will always find one of us on the playground before school starts each morning or alternatively you  contact us by email via office@highcliffeprimary.dorset.sch.uk