Safety Information for Visitors

We hope that your visit will be enjoyable, informative and safe. Please help us by reading and complying with the guidance contained within this webpage, which is intended to ensure your health and safety whilst at Bedford Academy. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of staff who will be happy to help. 

Security

All visitors and contractors coming in to the Academy must sign in at Reception using our electronic system. Please ensure your visitors pass and lanyard are clearly visible at all times. 

If you are working unsupervised with students, you will be asked to produce a letter of assurance on headed paper from your employer confirming that your organisation undergoes vetting, recruitment and safeguarding checks and should include your DBS number and date. Visitors on their first visit will be asked to produce valid photo ID i.e. passport or driving licence. Without this you may not be granted access.

Mobile Phones/Photographs

We operate and promote a ‘phone free environment’ at Bedford Academy. Visitors may not use mobile phones anywhere on site, including taking photographs of the Academy, staff or students.

Fire and Evacuation

• Your host will explain what to do in the case of emergencies and fire alarms
• The alarm is a continuous bell. You must leave the building by the nearest fire exit
• Stay with your host as they will escort you to the assembly point and ensure that you are recorded as present
• Do not take any personal risks
• You must not re-enter the building until told it is safe to do so.

Lockdown Procedure

• The school has a lockdown procedure that is used in emergencies only. This only happens when there is an immediate threat to staff and student safety 
• When lockdown occurs, a continuous siren sounds and will not stop until we are confident that students and staff are safe 
• Please follow staff guidance if a lockdown situation does occur and await further instructions from Bedford Academy staff who will take you to the nearest safe place. 

First Aid

If you need first aid or feel unwell please report to the Academy’s Reception where you can be seen by a qualified first-aider. 

Contractors

• Contractors must ensure that they follow any health and safety guidelines that may apply. By doing so, you will assist us in meeting the requirements of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
• Contractors working within school hours must produce a letter of assurance on headed paper from their employer confirming that their organisation undergoes vetting, recruitment and safeguarding checks and should include their DBS number and date. Visitors on their first visit will be asked to produce valid photo ID i.e. passport or driving licence.

Smoking and Vaping

Bedford Academy operates a no smoking policy. Please do not smoke or vape anywhere on the Academy site. If you do wish to smoke, then please leave the school site and away from any school signage. 

Car Parking

• All vehicles and their contents are left at the owner’s risk
• Please observe the speed limit of 5mph anywhere on the school site 
• Please follow the one-way arrows and signage at all times, displaying disabled badges if using a disabled parking bay.

SAFEGUARDING

OFSTED definition:

• Protecting children from maltreatment
• Preventing impairment of children's health or development
• Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
• Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

It is everyone's responsibility to RECOGNISE and RESPOND to any concerns about the welfare of a child or young person. 

Safeguarding Guidance for Staff and Visitors to the Academy

Adults visiting or working on the Academy site play an important part in the life of the school. Please observe the following guidelines:

• Do not initiate verbal or physical contact with students unless it is appropriate and a part of the agreed reason for your visit
• Do not give any personal information to students, such as your mobile number or email address
• Do not give students details of your personal social network accounts or engage in any communication with students using social networking sites.

If a student makes a disclosure to you, do not promise confidentiality; explain that you will need to talk to someone else. Inform the designated senior person for child protection.

If you have any concerns that a student may be at risk of harm, report it immediately to the Designated Persons or the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for child protection, who can be contacted at reception.

Designated Persons at Bedford Academy

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Emma McCrossan, in addition to other named staff below. The role of the DSLs is to ensure students are safe by responding to safeguarding alerts and following these through to ensure appropriate action is taken.  This includes proactively working with students, families and external agencies to ensure students’ needs are identified and met. DSLs are all appropriately trained and attend daily meetings to ensure everyone is working together to safeguard the students at Bedford Academy

How you feel matters

Emergency Contact Numbers

Academy Reception: 01234 301500

Site Team: 07749 390817

Bedford Borough Children’s Services Integrated Front Door (IFD) via their online portal Report a concern about a child or contact them on 01234 718700 (office hours) or 0300 300 8123 (out of hours).

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO): [email protected] or call 01234 276693 

NSPCC Whistleblowing: email: [email protected] or call 0800 028 0285

If there is a child protection emergency or an allegation made against a member of staff, you must pass this on to the Headteacher: [email protected]

If an allegation is made against the Headteacher, the Chair of Governors must be informed, please write to: Chair of Governors, Mile Road, Bedford, Bedford MK42 9TR 

If an allegation is made against the Chair of Governors please contact the CEO of HEART Academies Trust [email protected]

Thank you for helping to keep Bedford Academy safe.

If you have an emergency safeguarding issue and cannot contact the school, contact the police directly on 101