Student Zone

The Student zone is a space for resources and useful links for students to access safeguarding information. 

​​​​​​​​BCE information
  • Information about the Code of Conduct 
    • Rules for Adults (coming soon)
    • Understanding the BCE Employee Code of Conduct (coming soon)

             
             
​​​​​Websites that can help
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Archdiocese information
                

                

​Frequently Asked Questions for students

​​​​​​​​​What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding is all about creating a safe and supportive environment for everyone at school. It includes prevention where possible and response if things go wrong. This includes prioritising the safety and wellbeing of students and making sure we recognise, react and report when there are worries a student might have been harmed.    

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​​​​​​​​How​ is it different to Student Protection?
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Student Protection is an important part of safeguarding. It focuses how

  • school staff respond to worries about a student's safety, abuse or harm
  • the steps taken to protect students
  • the student support provided​
​​​​​​​​Why is safeguarding important?

Safeguarding is essential to protect students and vulnerable adult in our BCE community. Here's why it matters:  

  • Safeguarding protects students and vulnerable adults: Safeguarding helps us spot signs of abuse and exploitation early. It teaches our staff and community how to recognise, react and report concerns, reducing the risk of someone being harmed. 
  • Safeguarding builds trust: When we prioritise safeguarding, students, parents, and staff can trust that we are committed to keeping everyone safe. This makes students feel safer at school which makes it easier to participate and learn.
  • Safeguarding is a legal requirement: Schools must follow Safeguarding laws. If schools don't follow safeguarding laws, there can be legal consequences. Safeguarding is not only something we are required to do, but it's also the right thing to do.
  • Safeguarding empowers students: Safeguarding means that everyone, including students and vulnerable adults, have a right to be heard and involved in decisions that affect them.
  • Safeguarding helps prevent abuse and harm: Strong safeguarding practices like staff background checks and training helps prevent abuse, neglect, and harm from happening in our schools and community.
  • Safeguarding is the right thing to do: Safeguarding is a moral responsibility. Our Catholic values call us to protect the dignity of every person, ensuring everyone has a safe and positive experience at school.
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​​​​​​​​How​ does BCE "safeguard" me?
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  • At BCE, safeguarding is part of everything we do.   

    • we focus on your safety, wellbeing, and making sure your voice is heard
    • our staff, school activities, and routines are designed to keep you safe
    • we have systems in place to stop harm before it happens and to help if something does go wrong
    • we make it easy for anyone to speak up if they're worried about safety
    • we follow the laws for reporting concerns about safety
    • we keep reviewing and improving how we protect students to make sure we are always doing our best.

    Safeguarding isn't just about physical safety—it also means you feel safe mentally, emotionally, culturally, spiritually, and that you belong at school.
     

 
​​​​​​​​What is a safeguarding issue or concern?

A safeguarding issue is anything that might put a student or a vulnerable adult at risk of harm, make them feel unsafe, or lead to abuse. Here are some examples:  

  • bullying, discrimination, feeling like you don't belong, or someone making fun of you
  • unsafe physical environment
  • not having enough supervision during activities
  • not feeling heard or able to share your thoughts
  • a volunteer asking you to do something you know is against the rules or makes you feel uncomfortable
  • participating in an activity on an excursion that feels unsafe
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​​​​​​​​What do I do if I have a safeguarding concern?
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​Anytime you are worried or feel uncomfortable you should speak to a safe adult. Even if you are not sure if it is a 'safeguarding concern', you should still talk to an adult.  

It is also really important to speak up if you are worried about a friend because they might not know how to speak up for themself.  

You can talk to an SPC at your school. SPC's are listed on the school website and on posters in your school. They have had special training on how to help students who have a worry. If you don't feel comfortable talking to an SPC, you can talk to another adult you feel safe with at school or at home. The most important thing is to talk to an adult you trust because they can help keep you and others safe.