Southgate School

School Policies

We have over 30 policies which we have adopted that outline our statement of intent, guide our decisions and present the procedures by which we operate.  Each policy can be downloaded or you can request a paper version to be posted out by contacting the school.

Southgate School, along with its governing body, are proud to promote good behaviour through building positive relationships. Alongside being a non-sanctioning school, we have high expectations of behaviour in our school, and staff model this at all times. They provide regular positive reinforcement of good behaviour throughout the school day and challenge appropriately any negative behaviour

Behaviour Policy

Absconding is when a pupil goes beyond the fenced boundaries of the school without permission.  Many of our pupils have difficulties managing their anxiety, and will often seek to abscond as a result. 

Absconding Policy

Every pupil who comes to Southgate will be welcomed and valued regardless of their special educational need, physical ability, sexuality, culture, race or gender.  We provide an environment and curriculum which aims to make every pupil as independent as they can possibly be when they enter adulthood. 

Accessibility Plan

Accident, Incident or Near Miss Reporting and Investigation Policy

Accident, Incident Or Near Miss Policy

Southgate School is completely opposed to all types of bullying and discrimination.  It is entirely contrary to the nurturing values and ethos that are implemented to make the educational experiences of our young people as happy and as positive as possible 

Anti Bullying Policy

Southgate School regards regular attendance as very important to ensure the best possible learning outcomes for all children and that regular attendance at the school is necessary to promote better life chances

School Attendance Policy

Southgate School strives to ensure that all children feel safe when with us and preparing them for adult life is a priority. All of our pupils have complex needs and therefore the support we offer in response to a bereavement will be personalised for each pupil.

Bereavement Policy

A young person’s career is their pathway through learning and work.  All young people need a planned programme of activities to help them make decisions and plan their careers, both in school and after they leave.

Careers Policy 2023

All education provided during school hours is free, including the supply of any materials, books, instruments or other equipment.  No charge is made for any accreditation or examination held within school.  Southgate School will ask for voluntary contributions and charge for some optional extras that are not part of the national curriculum. 

Charging & Remission Policy

This school/college recognises that children are vulnerable to and capable of abusing their peers. We take such abuse as seriously as abuse perpetrated by an adult. This includes verbal as well as physical abuse.

Child On Child Abuse Policy

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all, particularly the vulnerable groups we nurture.  Our school requires all its employees (paid or unpaid) to share and support this commitment

Code of Conduct - Low Level Concerns

We are always pleased to hear from people who appreciate the hard work going on at Southgate School.  Although most people have an ongoing positive relationship with Southgate School, concerns can occasionally arise.  Southgate School always aims to resolve concerns and complaints at the earliest possible stage. 

Complaints Policy

Southgate School collects and uses personal information about staff, pupils, parents and other individuals who come into contact with the school.  This information is gathered to enable the school to provide education and other associated functions.  In addition, there may be a legal requirement to collect and use information to ensure that the school complies with its statutory obligations. 

Data Protection Policy

This is statutory guidance from the Department for Education, issued under sections 20(4) and 20A(4) of the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. This means that the governing bodies of maintained schools, academy proprietors and the designated staff member at maintained schools and academies must have regard to it when promoting the educational attainment of looked-after and previously looked-after children

Designated Teacher

Our ECT induction programme ensures that new teachers are provided with the support and monitoring to help them fulfil their professional duties and meet the requirements for satisfactory completion of induction. It builds on their knowledge, skills and achievements in relation to the Teachers’ Standards as achieved during training

ECT Policy

This policy, designed to ensure a high quality of education at Southgate, is a combination of policies and procedures that have previously stood alone. For ease of use and to support workload, teachers wanted them combined into one policy that fits together in a more cohesive approach

Ensuring a High Quality of Education at Southgate

Our school aims to meet its obligations under the public sector equality duty by having due regard to the need to:

  • Eliminate discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act 2010
  • Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
  • Foster good relations across all characteristics – between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
Equality Policy & Objectives 2024

This policy is based on the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, advice from the Department for Education on first aid in schools and health and safety in schools. 

First Aid Policy

Schools are required to have a Health and Safety Policy in place.  The Health and Safety Act 1974 places overall responsibility for health and safety with employer. 

Health & Safety Policy

This is statutory guidance from the Department for Education. This means that those involved in managing statutory induction arrangements must have regard to it when carrying out their relevant duties. The guidance covers those settings which are both required to or choose to offer induction to their early career teachers (ECTs). The term ‘early career teacher’ refers to a newly qualified teacher in their first or second year of induction.

Induction For ECT's

At Southgate School, staff will realise the issue of intimate care is a sensitive one; they will treat all young people with respect, consideration and dignity at all times. 

Intimate Care Policy

This policy was consulted with pupils with medical conditions, parents/carers of pupils with medical conditions, representatives from the governing body, healthcare professionals and it will be reviewed annually.

Medical Conditions & Administration of Medication

The safeguarding of pupils at Southgate School is paramount.  Mobile phones (and other portable devices) are susceptible to misuse, and can be used to access and distribute indecent content. 

Mobile Phone Policy

Southgate School is committed to providing a variety of outdoor and experiential learning opportunities for our pupils, strongly believing in the positive impact on wellbeing and development

Off-Sites Visits & Risk Assessment Policy

The Online Safety policy recognises the commitment of our school to keeping staff and pupils safe online and acknowledges its part in the school’s overall safeguarding policies and procedures. 

Online Safety Policy Acceptable Use Policy Acceptable Use Policy - Independent Users

At Southgate School we believe that the use of touch is a vital aspect of our nurturing role and that adult physical contact is not only inevitable but desirable.

Provider Access Policy Statement 2022

At Southgate School we believe that the use of touch is a vital aspect of our nurturing role and that adult physical contact is not only inevitable but desirable.

Positive Touch Policy

We maintain confidentiality and work to the principles set out in the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) to protect personal data. We publish information in a way so that no student or staff member can be identified. This data is accurate as of September 2021.

Public Sector Equality Duty Information 2020-21

This policy is based on the Department for Education’s statutory guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education (2020), Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Between Children in Schools and Colleges (2018).  We comply with this guidance and the procedures set out by our Local Safeguarding Children partnership. 

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Safer recruitment is a vital factor in keeping children safe within the education environment. 

Safer Recruitment Policy

Sex and relationships Education (SRE) supports and guides pupils in life-long learning about relationships, intimate and sexual relationships, including sexual health.

SRE Policy

This following report outlines how we address the different aspects of special educational needs (SEN).  If you would like further information, or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.

SEN Report

At Southgate School, we believe that the learning experience should be engaging and enjoyable for everyone. Through our teaching, we aim to equip each individual pupil with the skills, knowledge and understanding that prepares them in the best possible way for the next chapter in their education and ultimately adulthood.

Teaching & Learning Policy

In this school, the pupils always come first.  We always expect visitors to work with us in the best interests of the children.

Visitors' Code Of Conduct

Volunteers at our school bring with them a range of skills and experience that can enhance the learning opportunities of the pupils at Southgate School.

Volunteers Policy

Our employees in schools will often be the first to notice if there is something seriously wrong within their workplace. 

Whistleblowing Policy

Southgate School is committed to providing an education to all pupils that will prepare them for life beyond school.  All pupils will learn independence skills at a level that is developmentally appropriate

Work Related Learning Policy