Edward Pauling Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and protecting them from harm and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Safeguarding policy. Child protection is part of the safeguarding process and focusses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Child protection procedures detail how to respond to concerns about a child.

Within School

Miss A. Donnelly - Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mr A. Malin - Deputy Safeguarding Lead

Mrs L. Burnside - Deputy Safeguarding Lead 

Email welfare@edwardpauling.hounslow.sch.uk or telephone on 02088310841. The School Governor responsible for safeguarding is Ms Sarah Scott and Ms Lesley Connor (Deputy Child Protection Governor).

Safeguarding Concerns

At Edward Pauling, we strive to make sure all our students are safe in school, at home, online and in the community. It is every staff member’s responsibility to ensure our students are safe and secure and to promote their personal safety and well-being. If a child makes a disclosure of any form of abuse we have a legal duty to act upon this information. It is standard procedure to inform the local authority of this disclosure and to seek advice and guidance. It is best practice to inform parents and carers of the disclosure, however in some instances we are advised not to by children’s services and they will contact parents/carers directly. We appreciate that this can be a particularly difficult circumstance to deal with and we commit to support families as a unit to ensure everyone is safe and happy. 

Please see our safeguarding policy below for more detailed information on our procedures. 

What to do if you are worried about a child 
If you are concerned that a child or young person is being harmed through abuse or neglect you should contact the local authority's Children and Families unit on 0208 583 6600 (Hounslow) a or the Police on 999 in emergency situations. If you would like further information about keeping your child safe the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of  Cruelty to Children) has lots of advice and guidance: www.nspcc.co.uk

Complaints or Concerns about a Member of Staff
Complaints or concerns about a member of staff should be made directly to Mr Malin the Headteacher. Call or email the school and ask to speak to him directly on a safeguarding issue. The Headteacher will always take professional advice from the local authority on how to proceed with all allegations against staff. Any complaint or concern about the Headteacher should be made directly to the Chair of Governors, Sarah Scott. You can do this in writing, or call the School Office and ask for a direct number.

Safety online

Edward Pauling Primary School encourages parents and children to visit the CEOP (Child Exploitation & Online Protection) to build knowledge of how to stay safe online. This website has lots of fun activities which help children gain vital information on staying safe: www.thinkuknow.co.uk

Early Help

We work closely with our community and local council to ensure everyone gets the help and support they need. Hounslow Borough Council has an Early Help Offer for anyone who is struggling and we urge you to reach out for help if you are having problems. Please see the document below regarding further information that the Early Help team can offer. 

Safe and Sound Assemblies 

Our Weekly programme of Safe and Sound Assemblies play a vital role in promoting a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment where every child feels protected and valued. We believe that they:  

1. Raise Awareness and Understanding
   Safeguarding assemblies provide an accessible platform to raise children’s awareness about key safeguarding issues such as online safety, bullying, personal boundaries, and mental health. These assemblies help children understand what safeguarding means in their daily lives and encourage them to speak out if they feel unsafe or worried.

2. Promote the School’s Values
   Assemblies reinforce the school’s core values—Resilient, Empathetic, Respectful, Independent, Courageous, and Ambitious—by linking these to safeguarding themes it supports our children to internalise these values as part of their personal development and behaviour, fostering a respectful and inclusive school culture.

3. Consistent Messaging and Early Intervention
   Regular safeguarding assemblies ensure consistent messaging across year groups and support early identification of concerns. By educating children about recognising risks and knowing who to approach for help, assemblies contribute to early intervention and prevention of harm.

4. Support Wellbeing and Personal Development
   Safeguarding assemblies contribute to our children’s personal development and wellbeing by addressing topics such as emotional health, resilience, and positive relationships. This supports the school’s priority to embed pastoral care and mental health support, particularly for vulnerable groups including Pupil Premium and SEND children.

5. Engage the Whole School Community
   Assemblies provide opportunities to involve staff, leaders, and external experts in delivering safeguarding messages, ensuring a whole-school approach. This collaborative effort strengthens the culture of safeguarding and ensures that safeguarding remains a priority in school life.