Safeguarding and Early Help
St Mark’s CE Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this common commitment.
Safeguarding Statement
St Mark’s CE Primary School recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils. We endeavor to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice. Child protection forms part of the school’s safeguarding responsibilities.
Designated Safeguarding Leads
Mrs Rachel Jones - Deputy Headteacher ( DSL)
Mrs Nicola Smith - Senior Teacher (Deputy DSL)
Mrs Liz Watson – School Business Manager (Deputy DSL)
If you would like to speak to a DSL please call the school on 01252 544 155
Out of school hours please email: dsl@st-marks.hants.sch.uk
The school pays full regard to Department for Education statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education - September 2025.' We ensure that all appropriate measures are applied in relation to everyone who works in the school who is likely to be perceived by the children as a safe and trustworthy adult, including volunteers and staff employed by contractors. Safer recruitment practice includes scrutinising applicants, verifying identity and academic or vocational qualifications, obtaining professional and character references, checking previous employment history and ensuring that a candidate has the health and physical capacity for the job. It also includes undertaking in-depth interviews and conducting DBS checks.
For any ongoing concerns about the safety of a child or young person, you can report directly to Children’s Services in Hampshire between 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday on 0300 555 1384, or 0300 555 1373 if out of hours.
If you have a concern regarding someone who works with children, please contact the Headteacher in the first instance to discuss your concerns. Alternatively, you can contact the Local Area Designated Officer (LADO) on 01962 876364.
If your complaint is about the Headteacher, you should contact the Chair of Governors adminoffice@st-marks.hants.sch.uk
St Mark’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies can be found here.
Who to talk to…..
For Young People:
Children can talk in confidence on either;
• NSPCC where they can talk to an NSPCC adviser online
• Childline on 0800 1111 – will not be listed on the telephone bill
For Adults:
Samaritans provide confidential emotional support for people, if you are worried, feel upset or confused and just want to talk. You can:
• Phone on 08457 90 90 90
Visitor and Volunteers Safeguarding Leaflet
Early Help
Early Help Offer
At St Mark's Church of England School, we believe the health and well-being of our children underpins every aspect of school life. Parenting could be considered one of the most important tasks most of us will ever do, but it can also be the most challenging. Every family faces different pressures and difficulties at different times. Through our school values, and working alongside parents and carers, we can offer early help and support, or signpost to other services to help families through difficult times and prevent them from falling into crisis. Asking for help is often hard, but please be assured the staff at St Mark's aim to provide support, advice and guidance in a friendly, confidential and non-judgemental manner.
Below are some links for charities which may be of help to you:
Shelter
Shelter do not just support the homeless. They can offer impartial advice with regard to housing problems, benefits and money problems.
Family information service
Children and family services | Children and Families | Hampshire County Council
Home Start
'Home-Start works with families in communities right across the UK. Starting in the home, our approach is tailored to what the family need. No judgement, it is just compassionate, confidential help and expert support.
Last year Home-Start supported 78,900 children in 43,692 families, in communities across the UK.'
Home-Start Hampshire (Rushmoor and Hart) contact details
