Contextual safeguarding, which has been developed by Dr. Carlene Firmin at the University of Bedfordshire's Contextual Safeguarding Network, recognises that as young people grow and develop they are influenced by a whole range of environments and people outside of their family.
At Broomhill First School, we recognise that there are specific dangers in our community that we must safeguard children from. Our curriculum has been designed to tackle each of these areas at regular points throughout each year in school. In each class, the issues will be covered in age appropriate ways.
The four recognised contextual issues for our children are:
Why Road Safety?
Broomhill First School is situated in North Broomhill - a village that is close to a large number of tourist destinations and farms. As a result, there is a high volume of traffic moving through, and close to the village throughout the year. Often, many of the vehicles moving through Broomhill and the surrounding villages are large, such as heavy goods vehicles, combine harvesters and caravans.
Currently, North Broomhill does not benefit from the traffic calming measures in place in Red Row and Hadston, although this is something we are working with the Local Authority on.
We feel it is vital that our pupils develop an awareness of the dangers of the road network and learn how to use our roads safely.
Why E-safety?
The internet has changed all of our lives, particularly our children’s. One outcome of the pandemic is that more and more children have access to, and spend time using, electronic devices that have the capability to connect to the internet. It is vital that we equip our pupils with the tools they need to stay safe online.
In addition to the units of work that are built into our computing curriculum, we plan special events throughout the year to tackle this issue, such as e-safety week each February.
Why 'Valuing Each Member of our Community'?
Our community is becoming more diverse. With new housing developments across the Coquet area, more people are moving to this wonderful part of the world. With them, they bring a diverse range of cultures, values and attitudes that enrich our towns and villages. We want our children to embrace these differences and celebrate every member of our community.
Additionally, we want to challenge some attitudes that we come across, that don't belong in our society.
'I don't cook. I'm a boy. Cooking is for girls'.
'She can't be a scientist. Scientists are always boys'.
'That's too girly for me'.
The Equality Commission recognised, in a recent report that, displays of misogyny among children can occur in a variety of forms and are demonstrated verbally, non-verbally and physically, in classrooms, corridors and social spaces within educational establishments. At Broomhill, we do not tolerate these attitudes. A permissive approach to misogynistic attitudes and behaviour among children and young people will serve to further solidify existing gender inequalities within the economy. Right from Nursery, we safeguard children from gender stereotypes by having regular and open discussions about gender, all in an age appropriate way.
Why Water Safety?
We are incredibly lucky to be situated by many different bodies of water. Just down the road, there is a stunning beach at Druridge Bay, with a man-made lake situated in the Druridge Bay Country Park.
It is vital that we upskill our pupils so they are able to stay safe in the water. This takes the form of specific lessons focused on water safety, and a slow drip feed through other curriculum areas. Children in Y3 and Y4 also have swimming lessons, which they continue in Y5 and Y6 when they transition to Middle School.
