"Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all practitioners in this school make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that we consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child. The term children includes everyone under the age of 18." - Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, 2024 - 2025
Meet Our Safeguarding Team
Mrs S Thompson
Principal and Designated Safeguarding Lead
Miss P Lockitt
Pastoral & Welfare Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mr N Jones
Vice Principal and SENCO
Mrs L Schofield
Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead
Mrs K Hughes
Early Years Lead and Safeguarding Lead for Early Years
Mrs E Procter
BASC Manager and Safeguarding Lead for BASC
Mrs D Ridings
Chair of Local Governing Body
Mrs N Kay
LGB Member responsible for Safeguarding
Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass aims to reduce the long-term impacts of domestic abuse by providing early intervention and support.
When the police attend incidents of domestic violence or abuse where children are directly or indirectly involved, they notify the designated safeguarding lead (Mrs Thompson, Principal) at the child’s school before the start of the next school day. The safeguarding lead then makes sure the child gets the immediate support that they need.
For further information on Operation Encompass, please click here.
Cheshire Young Carers
A young carer is a child or young person living with a parent or sibling with a disability and/or illness such as mental ill health, substance misuse and physical illness. This can impact on the young carer’s development, health, emotional and mental health and their life chances. All of Cheshire Young Carers’ services are free to young carers aged 6-18 years old and living in Cheshire.
Cheshire Young Carer's volunteer workforce provides an opportunity to make a real difference to young carers. Volunteers have fun while inspiring young people by delivering a wide range of services from weekly group activities, supporting our school holiday programme and other key services that help people use their skills and experience to change the lives of young carers across Cheshire.
Please click here to visit the Cheshire Young Carers website to refer young carers to our service, or to find out how we help young carers in Cheshire East. Alternatively, please speak to the Young Carers Lead at Leighton Academy.
Young Carer Lead(s): Miss P Lockitt, Pastoral & Welfare Manager and Mrs S Thompson, Principal
ChECS (Reporting Concern for a Child)
The Cheshire East Consultation Service (CHECS) is the ‘front door’ for access to services, support and advice for children and their families, from early help and support through to safeguarding and child protection.
If you have an immediate safeguarding concern for a child or family, please call 0300 1235012 (Option 3, Option 2).
Emergency Duty Team (out of hours): 0300 123 5022
eSafety - Keeping Your Child Safe Online
The internet is essential in 21st century life for education, business and social interaction. As children move up through the school, their access to the internet and various types of technology increases. The positives of the digital world often outweigh the negatives, however, children, schools and parents all need to be aware of how best we can use the internet safely.
Online safety has a high profile at Leighton Academy. We ensure this is maintained and pupils’ needs are met. We aim to equip pupils with the skills, strategies and knowledge that will help them gain the benefits of the online world, whilst being able to minimise risk to themselves or others. For further information on how this is taught at Leighton Academy, please click here.
App Information & Guidance for Parents
Worried about screen addiction?
NSPCC: Keeping Children Safe Online
Free School Meals
0300 1235012 (Option 1)
https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schools/school-meals/free_school_meals.aspx
Further Resources and Information for Parents
GOV.UK: Working Definition of Trauma Informed Practice
Child Mental Health Concerns - Information for Parents
My CWA (Cheshire Without Abuse)
Change, Grow, Live (Drug and Alcohol Service)
CLASP - Counselling for Parents