Safeguarding

Safeguarding Statement

Walton High is committed to ensuring that all our students feel safe; that young people, parents, carers, and staff are able to talk about their concerns and feel that they will be heard.

Safeguarding is everybody’s business, and we strive to work together with pupils, staff, parents and other agencies to ensure Safeguarding is a priority.

We prepare staff and volunteers to be aware of and implement safeguarding procedures, as well as signpost or offer guidance to students and families who need support. This includes what to do if we suspect that a young person may be experiencing or is at risk of harm. Please see our Safeguarding Policy

If you have concerns about a student or their parent / carer, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead; Lianna Taylor or one of our Deputy safeguarding leads via the email:

Brooklands: bl-safeguarding@wh5d.com

Walnut Tree: wt-safeguarding@wh5d.com

If you are worried about someone who does not attend our school, or you have an urgent concern which is out of hours, you can contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) via email children@milton-keynes.gov.uk

In an emergency you should call the police on 999. If you are unable to speak during the call please press 55 on your handset which will alert the call handler and prompt action.

Brooklands Bullying Reporting Form - (Brooklands Students only)

If you have a bullying concern at our Brooklands campus, please complete the link below. The information will be reviewed by a member of our Pastoral team for further investigation. We take bullying extremely seriously and want to work with you to keep our students safe.
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=on3tb16Ra0KIzu2oqZ1_Fc6ZiDO3GqVBkhte3JlpN2VUOFlJMUwwVklYTEhRQjdMVUtNQ0dDRlZTNC4u

Online Safety

As digital technology becomes an integral part of our children's education and social lives, we recognise the vital role parents play in guiding safe and responsible online behaviour. At Walton High, we are committed to working in partnership with families to ensure students navigate the online world with confidence, awareness, and care.

We encourage parents to:

Stay informed about the platforms and apps their children use.

Set clear boundaries around screen time and online interactions.

Talk regularly with their children about digital wellbeing, cyberbullying, and the importance of privacy.

Use parental controls and safety settings where appropriate.

Report any concerns to the school or relevant authorities.

To support parents in doing this, we have included a number of links to online support and resources below

https://nationalcollege.com/parents

Online safety and mental health | resources and support | Shout 85258

Online safety | Police.uk

Keeping children safe online | NSPCC

Social media advice for parents | Oxford Health CAMHS

Social Media & Mental Health | Guide For Parents | YoungMinds

https://www.waltonhigh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DfE_Advice_for_parents_on_cyberbullying.pdf

https://nationalcollege.com/parents

Domestic Abuse

Operation Encompass is the process of the police service reporting to schools when a child or young person has experienced or been exposed to domestic abuse.

Operation Encompass will ensure that a member of the school staff, known as a Key Adult, will use the information that has been shared in confidence, whilst ensuring that the school is able to make provision for possible difficulties experienced by children, or their families, who have experienced a domestic abuse incident. For further information about Operation Encompass visit www.operationencompass.org

As an organisation we offer a safe space for somebody to go to who needs to access support if they are experiencing Domestic Abuse.

Local service

home-page MK-ACT Who is MK Act https://www.mkact.com

National services:

Domestic abuse advice https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/

Refuge https://refuge.org.uk/

Men experiencing domestic abuse https://mensadviceline.org.uk/

National Centre for Domestic Violence https://www.ncdv.org.uk/

There is a range of other support available, please have a look below for links to services and organisations which may be able to offer support in times of need.

Emotional Health and Wellbeing

At Walton High, we believe that mental health is just as vital as physical health in helping our students thrive – both academically and personally. Adolescence is a time of rapid change, and it's normal for young people to face emotional ups and downs. As parents and carers, your role in nurturing their wellbeing is invaluable.

We encourage open conversations at home, where students feel safe to express their feelings without judgment. If you notice signs of stress, anxiety, or withdrawal, please don’t hesitate to contact us to share your concerns. Together, we can ensure every student feels supported, heard, and empowered to succeed.

Mental health is not a destination – it’s a journey we walk together. Thank you for being part of it.

Below are some links to helpful services and resources but do reach out if it would be helpful to talk to us –

https://www.mind.org.uk

Milton Keynes Mental Health Support Team in Schools (MHST)

Young Person’s Sanctuary Milton Keynes - Mind BLMK

Downloads | CHUMS

BBC - Information and Support: Mental health & self-harm

Home :: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

How you feel matters in Milton Keynes | Milton Keynes City Council

Self Injury Support

Parent Support and Advice

We recognise that parenting through the secondary school years brings new challenges and opportunities. As children grow into young adults, parents play an essential role in guiding, supporting, and encouraging their development – both academically and emotionally. We encourage proactive parenting with open communication to help with building resilience, fostering independence and developing a strong sense of community.

Below are some links that provide some useful information, tips and resources but if you feel that it would be helpful to discuss things further with us, please do get in touch –

 NSPCC https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/?source=ppc-brand

Early help | Milton Keynes City Council

Coping with your teenager - NHS

Useful contacts for support - for 11-18 year olds | Mind

Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds

Parenting and Family Support | Family Lives

NSPCC https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/?source=ppc-brand