Safeguarding

At Hopescourt School, safeguarding isn’t just a responsibility—it’s a core value that underpins everything we do. We are a specialist all-through school in Walton-on-Thames for autistic pupils and those with communication and interaction needs, and ensuring our pupils feel safe, respected, and supported is fundamental to enabling them to flourish.

At Hopescourt safeguarding means keeping children safe from harm, protecting their wellbeing, and ensuring they grow up in a secure, nurturing environment. It includes everything from training our staff, supporting the wellbeing of our young people and ensuring we have up to date school policies.  We value our daily interactions, safe routines, and positive relationships. Hopescourt play a vital role in identifying and responding to concerns, supporting our children, and teaching them how to stay safe in the physical and digital world.

What Safeguarding Means for us as a school

Hopescourt’s safeguarding approach includes:

• Keeping children physically, emotionally, and mentally safe
• Creating a secure and supportive school environment
• Identifying concerns early and taking timely action
• Teaching children how to stay safe - both in and out of school
• Working with families and external agencies to protect children

This is part of our everyday practice. We aim to ensure that pupils feel confident, valued, and able to learn without fear or worry.

Safeguarding at Hopescourt School

Across Hopescourt School, safeguarding responsibilities are of the highest importance. All staff receive regular safeguarding and “top-up” training to ensure we are confidently and consistently reporting, recording, and responding to concerns. We also follow national statutory guidance, Surrey County Council requirements, and Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures, reviewing our practices regularly.

We have a clear duty of care to report any concerns and share information, when appropriate, with trusted professionals or agencies to protect children. Our school works closely with Surrey partners and the Bourne Education Trust to ensure our systems are effective and child-centred.

Our Safeguarding Team (DSLs)

We have a strong Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) team, with several trained staff available to support pupils, families, and staff at any time. This includes:

	Nicky Meston	Deputy Headteacher (DSL)	mestonn@hopescourt.school
	Alex Burrows	Headteacher (Deputy DSL)	burrowsa@hopescourt.school
	Ian Varley	Deputy DSL	varleyi@hopescourt.school
	Sophie Lia White	Deputy DSL	whites@hopescourt.school
	Megan Avery	Deputy DSL	averyme@hopescourt.school
	Hayley Crawford	Deputy DSL	crawfordh@hopescourt.school
	Nicola Galloway	Deputy DSL	gallowayn@hopescourt.school
	Clare Goldsmith	BET Safeguarding Lead	goldsmithc@bourne.education

If you have a concern about a child, please contact our DSL team via: dsl@hopescourt.school.

If the concern relates to a member of staff, this is reported to the Headteacher; if it concerns the Headteacher, it must be raised with our Chair of Governors.

Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be found here.