Safeguarding, Prevent & E-Safety

Safeguarding Statement

Oxted School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the physical and emotional welfare of every student, on and off site. We strive to provide a caring, safe and stimulating environment in which children feel secure, respected and listened to, and where their social, physical and moral development is nurtured. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: trustees, staff, parents/carers and students work together to maintain a culture where concerns are raised promptly and acted on.

If you are worried about a child, please contact the school immediately and state that your call relates to a safeguarding concern. If your concern arises outside school hours or during holidays, contact the police. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. Online concerns about exploitation can also be reported via the CEOP website.

We promote safeguarding through our curriculum, especially PSHE, assemblies and tutor time, and provide e‑safety guidance to all staff and students to reduce misuse of the internet and social media, including cyberbullying. Our safeguarding team works closely with House staff, the Inclusion team and external agencies to ensure students receive the right support at the right time. All staff receive regular training and follow clear procedures for identifying, reporting and responding to concerns.

Our approach aligns with Trust policies and national guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and the Prevent Duty. For full details, please see the THPT Oxted School Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy (and related policies), available on our website.

Prevent Strategy

What is the Prevent Strategy?

Prevent is a national government strategy designed to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes. It addresses all forms of terrorism and extremism, including the extreme right‑wing, violent groups and other ideologies.

How does Prevent apply to schools?

Since July 2015, schools (and other organisations) have a statutory duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism. This means we must protect students from extremist and violent views in the same way we protect them from other harms such as drugs or gang violence. Crucially, schools also provide a safe space for pupils to explore and discuss these issues, helping them develop the knowledge and confidence to keep themselves safe.

What this looks like at Oxted School

At Oxted School, many aspects of our everyday provision contribute to the Prevent Strategy by helping students grow into positive, confident and respectful members of society. Through our curriculum and wider provision, we explore different cultures and religions and actively promote diversity; we challenge prejudice and racist comments; and we develop students’ critical thinking skills and a strong, positive sense of identity. We also promote students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development, including British values such as democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance. In addition, we take practical steps to reduce risk—for example, using internet filters to prevent access to extremist material and carefully vetting visitors who work with students.

Key Terms

Extremism: Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values such as democracy, the rule of law and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
Ideology: A set of beliefs.
Terrorism: Violent action against people or property intended to create fear and advance a political, religious or ideological cause.
Radicalisation: The process by which a person comes to support extremism and terrorism.

For practical advice on protecting children from extremism please visit educateagainsthate.com.