West Mercia Police and Shropshire Council support our school with the Safer School initiative. We are an accredited Safer School and proud of our Safer School sign and certificate. The accreditation is reviewed every two years.
The initiative is a holistic, practical and realistic approach to school security and personal safety. It gives our school a clear focus on the subject and turns a negative subject into a positive one. It sets a minimum standard for school security.
The essential elements of the Safer School process include: -
- Implementing a security policy that the governors have adopted.
- Consulting parents/carers and pupils for their views and updating them on any progress.
- Publicity of Safer Schools to school staff, pupils, school neighbours, parents/carers, and prospective parents/carers.
- Establishing a Safer School This Safer School group is a partnership of school stakeholders – Headteacher/Deputy, staff, governors, parents, pupils, neighbours, Shropshire Council and West Mercia Police.
- Regularly reviewing and implementing good practice and essential security/safety measures.
- A proportional pro-active approach to the security/safety/safeguarding of staff, pupils, visitors, premises, property and assets.
- Educating pupils through the Personal, Social, Health and Economic curriculum programme or the Safer School
- A daily procedure for recording incidents should they occur i.e. trespass, burglary, theft, anti-social behaviour, vandalism, arson, suspicious activity etc., both during school hours and out-of hours.
- Solving real problems rather than perceived problems. Prioritising work (if any) and reviewing action.
- If there are security issues i.e., vandalism, anti-social behaviour etc., the intention of the initiative is to reduce/eliminate the issues.
"St Lawrence CE Primary School recently held their annual Safer School meeting. This is a security/safety review and I would like to recognise the school for their excellent working as an accredited ‘Safer School’. Although the school was accredited in 2011, not only does the school continue to comprehensively fulfil the Safer School criteria but Mr Brannen and staff are continually striving to improve. A really positive approach. As part of their continual support of Safer Schools in Shropshire, West Mercia Police attended this meeting.
During the meeting, the school was presented with updated certificate and a future meeting is planned for 2024 – congratulations!"
Ian Bartlett
Safer Schools
Shropshire Council
