Safer School Partnership is a formal agreement between a school and the police to work together in order to keep young people safe, reduce crime and the fear of crime and safeguard the behaviour in school and their communities.

The initiative is a holistic, practical and realistic approach to school security and personal safety. It gives our school a clear focus on the subject and turns a negative subject into a positive one. It sets a minimum standard for school security.

The essential elements of the Safer School process include: –

• Implementing a security policy that the governors have adopted.
• Consulting parents/carers and pupils/students for their views and updating them on any progress.
• Publicity of Safer Schools to school staff, pupils, school neighbours, parents/carers, and prospective parents/carers.
• Establishing a Safer School group. This Safer School group is a partnership of school stakeholders – Headteacher/Deputy, staff, governors, parents, pupils, neighbours, Shropshire Council and West Mercia Police.
• Regularly reviewing and implementing good practice and essential security/safety measures for staff, pupils, the site and assets.
• Educating pupils through the Personal, Social, Health and Economic curriculum programme or the Safer School folder.
• A daily procedure for recording incidents should they occur i.e. trespass, burglary, theft, anti-social behaviour, vandalism, arson, suspicious activity etc., both during school hours and out-of hours.
• Solving real problems rather than perceived problems. Prioritising work (if any) and reviewing action.
• If there are security issues i.e., vandalism, anti-social behaviour etc., the intention of the initiative is to reduce/eliminate the issues.

Our Safer Schools accreditation was renewed in October 2024, following pupil and parent surveys and a meeting with Mr. Ian Bartlett from Shropshire Council on 23rd October 2024.

D5 – West Felton Primary – Expires October 2025

The pupils reported overwhelming that they feel safe at West Felton CofE Primary School. The children know how to identify visitors and what to do if they see an unfamiliar adult at school. If they have any worries or concerns, they would feel comfortable talking to a member of staff or by using the ‘worry systems’ in each class, for example, Oak class have Oakley Teddy Bear who they can share their worries with. Most felt that West Felton is tidy and welcoming, with a few recognising that we could be better at tidying up after ourselves, particularly in communal spaces such as the PE shed and the Forest Room. With the construction work now completed, entrances and exits are highly secure and parents, pupils and staff are aware of new procedures.

Moving forward, we will contact Shropshire Council regarding signage/lighting on School Road/Grimpo Road as is used in other neighbouring villages. Currently, their data suggests that it is not necessary but we will continue to lobby.

We will continue to work hard in partnership with West Mercia police and Shropshire Council to retain our Safer Schools status. Thank you all very much for participating in the survey.