04 Whistleblowing Policy

Purpose

This policy gives staff, volunteers and trustees clear routes for raising concerns safely, without fear of being made to feel they have done something wrong.

Who can raise a concern

Any member of staff, volunteer or trustee who has a concern about wrongdoing, including safeguarding risks, unsafe practice, financial irregularity, or conduct that brings the school into disrepute.

How to raise a concern

• For safeguarding concerns: report to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• For other serious concerns: report to the Chair of Trustees or the trustee the board has nominated for this purpose.
• Where both kinds of concern are present, or where the matter is urgent, raise it with both.

Confidentiality and protection

• The school prohibits retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith.
• Concerns are treated seriously and investigated proportionately to the risk they describe.
• The school will keep the identity of the person raising the concern confidential wherever it safely can, and will say so at the outset.

Record-keeping and outcomes

The school records the concern raised, the actions taken and the outcome, and tells the person who raised it what has happened wherever it is appropriate to do so.

Review

This policy is reviewed at least once a year.