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Safeguarding at Green Valley 1
Introduction – Keeping Children Safe in Education At Green Valley, we take safeguarding and the protection of children exceptionally seriously. As far as possible, we aim to create a holistic environment where children feel, and are, safe. Recent inspection of the school by the Education Development Trust has reported an excellent level of care for students. Feedback has included: “The school has an exceptionally strong culture of care. The school’s work to keep students safe and secure is outstanding.” However, safeguarding improvements should always be continual, with improvements persistently sought. As such, the school works closely with independent safeguarding consultants from the UK on annual inspections and recommendations. This document aims to outline for the community what safeguarding means, and how Green Valley practices it. This document will adapt and evolve, but with everyone’s help and understanding, the school will continue to deliver outstanding practice.
Safer Recruitment Our work begins even before a member of staff arrives. Safer Recruitment means ensuring our staff and volunteers are suitable and well prepared to work with children. Our rigorous hiring process includes background checks, thorough references and police checks. Our staff team are then trained to an international standard regarding safeguarding and child protection, with additional inschool training regarding our systems, protocols and high expectations. All staff and volunteers sign a Code of Conduct that upholds our professional values and culture of care. However, if you have a concern about an adult at Green Valley, you should always talk to the DSL or Head of School. Your concern will be listened to and dealt with professionally.
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Safeguarding and Child Protection Our work at the school is comprehensive. Safeguarding refers to community efforts to keep children's safety and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do, which includes: •
Operating a safe and secure site including lockdown and fire response protocols and regular practice drills.
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Visitor sign in systems,
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Enacting policies and procedures on the safety and wellbeing of students
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Having appropriately checked and trained teachers
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Monitoring and checking of attendance
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Maintaining excellent student and staff relationships
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Knowing and sharing important information about students with those that need to know
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Setting clear reporting systems
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Devising a modern and age appropriate PSHE curriculum, which includes wellbeing, digital safety, mental health, and appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education
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Creating open, direct and non- judgmental work with parents
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Linking with local services for additional support
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Applying international standards through our Safeguarding Self Review
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Undertaking annual independent safeguarding reviews from UK inspectors
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Deploying specialist staff in caring roles, for example the Nurse, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Registered Counselor, Pastoral Leaders, SENCO etc.
Green Valley has worked hard on expanding capacity within our team and has many staff in roles who take responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of our school community.
We are a supportive and caring team, if you have any concerns about your own child or any child please get in touch with one of our team outlined on the next page.
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Site Security and Safety Site Access and Safety The school site opens to students at 8am, students who arrive occasionally between 7.30am and 8am may wait in the school Reception. Students, parents and visitors must access the school through either through the primary or secondary gate at pick up or drop off, or the main reception at all other times. Registration is required, with proof of identification.
Access to the school site is by appointment, for school events, or during designated times only. Lanyards or visitor badges must be worn visibly while on campus. Bags may be inspected by authorised staff when necessary. Access may be refused if safety procedures are not followed. Visitors should be supervised by staff while on school site, at all times. Safeguarding Adults use adult toilets only.
Do not have physical contact with any students on the school site. Conduct Adults are not permitted to use or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol on the school site. Aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated towards anyone on the school site. Photos
Parents may take pictures of their own child, please do not share pictures of other children on social media unless you have their parents permission.
Visitors, volunteers and CCA Providers may take pictures of the environment only. Please do not take pictures of children without consent from the Head of School or Safeguarding Lead. Fire and Lockdown Safety Please comply with all staff instructions in the event of a Fire or Lockdown alarm.
The evacuation assembly point is the front car park outside Reception.
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Behaviour Management at Home Our duties also involve working closely with parents. Behaviour management at home is a sensitive and personal issue, and there are a wide range of viewpoints and beliefs. However, in March 2025, Thailand made smacking or hitting children illegal, joining 70 other countries. This law applies to all families, no matter their nationality while living in Thailand. The amendment to Section 1567 (2) of the Civil Code, published in the Royal Gazette on March 24, says: "Disciplining or behaviour correction of a child must not involve violence, physical or psychological harm, or any inappropriate actions". Alternatives to smacking, depending on the child’s age, could include removal of privileges, time out or a home/school contract. At Green Valley, we understand that children and families face all kinds of challenges, and would like to work with families to reduce stress and find alternative methods for managing behaviour.
Cases of physical abuse must be reported by the school to local Thai authorities.
15 Discipline Alternatives to Smacking
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Mental Health and Wellbeing Our school continues to prioritise the importance of helping students with all aspects of their wellbeing.
Students’ wellbeing and academic performance are closely related and we strive to develop students who are happy, well balanced and resilient by: •
Ensuring every child has a trusted adult to speak to at school, including access to trained professionals.
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Offering a holistic, broad and balanced curriculum
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Participation in our diverse CCA program
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Participation in our Outdoor Education Program, and opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh and Youth Explorer
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Developing student leadership and confidence through opportunities within Eco Council, Student Council, Prefects and Head Students, for example
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PSHE education
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Encouraging a balanced lifestyle outside of school, which includes relaxation, physical activity, connecting with others socially, hobbies, giving to others and studying.
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Promoting and understanding the Cognita Be Well Charter
1 in 4 of us will experience mental health challenges in our life and signs often appear in childhood or teenage years, and can include: •
Excessive worrying or stress
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Being less interested in activities that usually motivate
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Becoming less active or engaging less with others
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A change in habits or behaviours
If you are concerned about the wellbeing of a child in your care, speak to your child’s teacher, pastoral leader, counselor or DSL.
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Counselling Our support looks to ensure that all our children have access to professional help. Our full time, UK qualified counsellor works with a range of students from 3-18. In primary, unless there is a safeguarding concern, we first discuss provision with parents, whilst secondary students have the opportunity to self refer and attend independently. However, parents are always informed if we have concerns about the wellbeing of the child in their care. Older students can sign up for counseling through their tutor, or email Miss Tayla at any time. Parents of younger children can arrange counseling directly through their child’s teacher or email Miss Tayla directly tewenson@standrews-schools.com.
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School Attendance It is quite normal that students will experience periods of ill health as children. We can minimise the impact by ensuring students don’t miss days unnecessarily, for example for family holidays. Our target for student attendance is 96% across the school. There is a link between student attendance and their academic performance as outlined in the poster below. Low attendance can also affect students' wellbeing as they can fall behind in learning, and miss important relationship building opportunities. Please call in the morning to inform us of your child’s absence. If your child is absent from school without a reason, we will call within 2 hours to check on your child’s welfare.
Data Protection In order to comply with both UK and Thailand Data Protection Regulation, we only collect personal and sensitive information from families which is important for the students' education. We are committed to storing, using and sharing it safely.
Frequently Asked Questions What if I am concerned about an adult working with children? You should speak to the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) or Head of School. What if I am concerned about the wellbeing or safety of my child, or any other child? You may speak to a teacher, tutor, pastoral lead, nurse, counselor, DSL or SENCO. It is vital that you report to us as soon as possible in case we need to intervene in a child at risk of harm. I have changed my mind and no longer wish to give consent to my child’s picture being used on social media, and the school year book for example? This is fine. You can talk to a member of staff or email the school reception at any time. My child has been prescribed medication they need to take in the day. Can they keep it in their bag? No, medication must be booked in with the nurse and taken to the medical room. Our family is having a difficult time, but I don’t want to bother the school. What should I do? Please reach out. We are here to help.
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Health and Safety At St. Andrews Green Valley, we take care to provide a safe environment for learning. This is not just for our physical site but also includes any place where learning experiences for our students take place. We are independently audited yearly and look to improve our practice in partnership with advice from Cognita Health and Safety leadership. We maintain a set of Health and Safety policies and regular meetings are scheduled to discuss and action issues which arise.
Preventing accidents We maintain a thorough suite of risk assessments for activities on and off site. These are reviewed biannually or when new activities or risks are identified. Every school trip has its own bespoke risk assessment which is written by the trip leader and approved by the Educational Visits Coordinator, Outdoor Education Coordinator and Senior Management. Our trip planning process is also monitored by Cognita consultants. Serious incidents and near miss incidents are reported to the senior leadership team and the Health and Safety Manager of Cognita Asia. We are constantly learning from incidents across the group and respond to information on potential risks.
Medical Practices at Green Valley The school nurse is on duty in the medical centre from 8:00am - 5:00pm each day (lunch breaks taken in the canteen - note left for contact). In case of a sports fixture, the School Nurse will extend her working day until the match is finished. Students should report to the school nurse if they are ill or injured. The school nurse will contact parents in the case of injuries/illness requiring further treatment (example fever), when follow-up care or observation is required (example a head injury note is sent home), and when there is a visible mark from injury or a large wound. If medicine is required to be administered in school time (trips and visits included) a ‘request to administer medication’ form should be filled out by the parent. This should be accompanied by the medication and prescription from the doctor/pharmacist. The medicine must be delivered to the nurse by a responsible adult (parent/bus monitor preferred). Medicine for school trips should be arranged by the parent at least 2 days before the trip departure.
Training All staff take yearly basic Health and Safety training to perform their roles. A significant number of our staff are also qualified first aiders. In addition to this, some of our school 10
staff hold Austere First Aid certificates, Lifeguard qualifications, food handling qualifications and qualifications in leading activities, for example rock climbing. These enhanced qualifications not only improve the safety of students but they also allow us to assess the suitability of third parties we use for trips and activities.
School Roles Health and Safety Lead and Educational Visits Coordinator - Nick Chaddock- responsible for managing the health and safety of the site and ensuring trips and visits are planned and run safely. Please direct enquiries/concerns regarding any Health and Safety or Visit to Nchaddock@tandrews-schools.com
Site Security and Access When can parents see learning? Parents are welcome to attend a whole host of events, from primary assemblies, learning journeys and open days, for example. These will be communicated in advance for parents to join. Parents can also initiate a visit and simply request the school as to who they would like to see, or if a tour of the school is requested. We will happily welcome you and attend to your inquiry. Why do I need to be met in the reception area? We expect parents to use the reception area when visiting school outside of normal drop off and collection times. This is so we can have an accurate register of visitors on our school site and appropriately meet and greet. Parents are very welcome to use the coffee shop area at all times of the school day. Why have we made changes to security?
We have reviewed security measures to better control who has access to the school site to increase the safety and well-being of students and staff. All staff will remain welcoming to visitors but we expect visitors to wear a lanyard and sign in at the reception desk. Please make an appointment if you wish to meet school staff during the school day.
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Parent Support At Green Valley we pride ourselves on being a support to the whole community, including parents who may need extra support or help.
Please contact one of our Pastoral Team if you need help or advice.
Local Support The Lighthouse Human Services are recommended for adult counseling in person or online https:// www.psychologistbangkok.com
Thailand offers a free, confidential mental health counseling phoneline 1323
Alcoholics Anonymous operate a branch in Pattaya, offering non judgemental support for addictions. https://aathailand.org/th/aa-meetings/
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