Safeguarding | Ossett Academy

We are committed to safeguarding all and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Parents/carers can feel confident that careful and thorough procedures are in place to ensure that all staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children within the academy. The academy encourages parents/carers and children to talk freely about any concerns or worries which may affect any progress. It is important to us that parents/carers and pupils see the academy as a safe place.

Children will be taken seriously if they seek help from a member of staff. Pupils may be referred or signposted for additional bespoke support from external agencies who work closely with the academy. The academy will endeavour to work in partnership with parents/carers at all times to inform them of additional support required or accessed for their child. However, staff cannot guarantee to consult parents/carers first, or to keep children’s concerns confidential, if a referral must be made to agencies in order to safeguard the child’s welfare.

If you have any concerns relating to any pupil in our academy please contact one of the members of our Safeguarding Team. All policies related to safeguarding and anti-bullying can be found here.

Designated Safeguarding Staff 2024-25 Support Services for Students 2024-25

Further Information

For more information or additional support the following organisations are notable points of reference:

Brook –Brook provides free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing services for nearly 250,000 young people UK-wide, each year.
Calm Harm – A free app providing activities to help manage the urge to self-harm.
Childline – A free, confidential service for anyone under 19 in the UK.
Barnado’s – Barnardo’s is committed to supporting young people and their families throughout the UK.
Kooth – Award-winning online counselling services. Delivering proven mental health services for over a decade.
NSPCC – The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is a charity campaigning and working in child protection.
Wakefield Families Together – Wakefield Families Together brings services together, so that it’s easier for you to find and access the support you need, at the earliest opportunity.
WF-I-Can – Online resource for children and young people in Wakefield.

Anti-Bullying

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behaviour that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumours, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. It is clear that although bullying has a significant short term impact, the longer term consequences can also have a significant impact on self-esteem and mental health.

Staff at Ossett Academy will take all reports of bullying seriously. We strive to create an atmosphere where all members of our academy community feel safe and valued. If you have any concerns about bullying, please speak to your child’s Pastoral Year Leader as soon as possible.

This anti-bullying video which was planned, scripted, directed and produced by secondary school pupils across Accord Multi Academy Trust. Their aim was to help people recognise and report bullying, as well as access support.

Bully and Cyberbullying (Department of Education) Bully and Cyberbullying (NSPCC) Building Confidence After Bullying (Childline) Anti-Bullying Tools & Information (Anti-Bullying Alliance)