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Information for Parents

Our school takes the safety and well-being of our children and staff very seriously, and we are committed to safeguarding our whole community.

Our Designated Safeguarding Team

Our link Governor for Safeguarding is Tim Gittins, our Vice-chair and very experienced Governor with a particular background that supports this particular role. He is trained in safer recruitment and regularly visits school, reporting back to the full Governing Body.

Tim says, "I am a Circuit Judge in the Crown Court on the Newcastle Quayside and Vice Chancellor of the Dioceses of both Newcastle and Durham. My casework over the last 30 years has regularly involved allegations of serious sexual and physical harm to vulnerable adults and children.

I have been a Governor at St Bartholomew’s for 18 years. Both my children started their schooling here. I have been Vice-Chair and Safeguarding Lead for the last 10 years. I assist the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team in ensuring relevant protocols, training & records in relation to Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment are up to date and put into practice. I meet with the Headteacher, usually on a weekly basis, (& more frequently when necessary,) to discuss any relevant issues or events. I provide support and advice where necessary, and aim to be a constructively critical friend in this sensitive but vital area of school management and governance.

I may be contacted confidentially via the website in relation to any safeguarding concerns."

eSafety Advice

In the ever-changing world of the internet, it is vital that we keep our children safe whilst online.  It is easier than ever for young people to gain access to online content through computers, smart phones, TVs and tablets.  As teachers, parents and carers it is our responsibility to protect our children's digital footprint and ensure that they use new technologies responsibly.

This isn't easy, but we have some resources that may help.  Use the links below to access practical advice and get in touch with school if you have any questions or issues as we cover these issues within our curriculum.

  • Internet Matters Great eSafety advice and practical help setting up your devices.

  • NSPCC Great advice for families

Working in Partnership

As a school, we work closely with other agencies and settings to support our safeguarding work.

These include:

  • Children's Social Care
  • Children Missing from Education
  • Clennell Education Services
  • North Tyneside School Support Team
  • Local Authority Designated Officer
  • The Police
  • Early Help Team
  • Crisis Team
  • Colleagues from schools within the locality and across the Diocese

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Operation Encompass North Tyneside


What is Operation Encompass?

The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in a domestic abuse incident. Following an incident at home, children will often arrive at school distressed, upset and unprepared for the day. North Tyneside Council, the police and nominated Key Adults in school work together to make sure that school staff are made aware of an incident early enough to support pupils in school.  


Why was Operation Encompass introduced in North Tyneside?

Operation Encompass was initially launched in Plymouth in February 2011 to address a shortcoming in the early sharing of information with schools. Since then several pilots were set up across the UK, including Gateshead and South Tyneside, and these proved to very successful in providing appropriate support in a timely manner. Pilots across the UK have reported positive outcomes for many children and young people. 

North Tyneside Council, Northumbria Police and all schools in the borough now takepart in the scheme, to help provide additional new support which benefits children and young people in North Tyneside and improves multi-agency sharing of information. 

How does it work? 

Schools across North Tyneside have nominated two members of staff who will be known as Key Adults. All Key Adults have attended specific training to the role in preparation for Operation Encompass. Each morning a police officer reviews all domestic abuse incidents that occur outside of school but which might have had an impact on a child attending school the following day. Where children were present, witnessed or involved in a domestic abuse incident and aged between 4 and 16 years old, the officer sends this information to Children’s Social Care "Front Door" Service. Staff from the Front Door send this information in a secure format to the identified Key Adults. The Key Adults check their emails every day and the staff in contact with those pupils will then be in an informed position to support them in a way that is right for the child. 

This information is shared on school days during school term and, when incidents occur on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or over a holiday period, the police will contact the Front Door the following Monday. 

When did Operation Encompass launch in North Tyneside?

Operation Encompass launched in June 2016. 

For more information about Operation Encompass, please contact your school or visit www.operationencompass.org

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