Child safety.
Safe, cared for, free to learn.

How we keep children safe

General

• Every adult who works with children, whether staff, volunteer or service provider, does so only after thorough background checks.
• Emergency contact details for every child are updated regularly.
• Carers and service staff are trained on children’s special needs.
• Everyone in the school knows their right to safety and protection, and is encouraged to report concerns straight away.
• Security cameras cover the campus, except private spaces such as changing rooms and washrooms.
• Children do not wander outside the school building during class hours. Teachers do rounds during breaks and events.
• Children with contagious illnesses return only after their quarantine period, with a letter from their doctor.

By age

• Children up to Form 5 may leave the school only with a parent, guardian or their emergency contact.
• Children up to Form 5 may not carry prescription medicines into class without a written request signed by the class teacher.
• From Form 6, children may not leave the school without written consent from a parent or guardian.

Respect for every family

• Questions about religion, politics or personal matters are not put to children or their families.
• Children are encouraged to understand and respect different views on race, gender identity, religion and culture.

Emergencies

• Emergency procedures are shared with all staff and displayed in common areas.
• First-aid kits, fire extinguishers, emergency showers and eyewash stations are checked and restocked regularly.

Roles and responsibilities

School leadership

The Principal and Programme Coordinator put this policy into practice. They review safety procedures regularly, run regular evacuation drills, and keep the school community informed.

Staff and volunteers

• Follow all health and safety requirements.
• Keep tools and equipment in good condition and report faults to the Facilities Manager.
• Report hazards and accidents.
• Class teachers keep a record of anything that may affect a child’s physical or mental health, including notes from other teachers. Coordinators check these records regularly.
• On trips and exchanges, the staff in charge take full responsibility for the children’s safety.

Students

• Tell a teacher about any incident that may put themselves or others at risk.
• Follow the dress code and wear protective clothing when needed.
• Follow all safety rules and staff instructions, especially in an emergency.
• Never misuse safety equipment.

Parents and guardians

• Work with the school to make this policy effective.
• Keep contact details and the child’s health information up to date.
• Attend parent-teacher meetings regularly.
• Ask the school about anything that is not clear.

Visitors

Visitors, contractors and delivery staff are expected to follow the school’s safety rules.

Guidelines

• The policy and procedures are available on request.
• Safety goals are shared regularly with all parents.
• Guidance on safety and on physical and mental health is available from class teachers, the Principal and the school’s visiting psychologist at parent-teacher meetings.

Child safety and protection team

• Director: Dr. Saveetha Rajesh
• Principal: Aniruddha Kar
• Coordinator: Binja Unnikrishnan
• Administration Officer: Dolly Mohan
• First-aid provider and Sports Facilitator: Joel Kumaran
• Visiting psychologists: Dr. Shanthi Nambi and Dr. Raman

Policy review

This is a working document and is updated every year by the Policy Review Committee: the Director, the Principal and the PYP Coordinator.

Last reviewed March 2021. Next review March 2022.

Sources

1. United Nations, Convention on the Rights of the Child
2. World Health Organization, Child maltreatment fact sheet
3. Ambassador International Academy, Dubai, Health and Safety Policy

Questions about this policy? Write to admission@thepupil.in or call +91 98848 89910.

Other PYP policies

• Admissions
• Inclusion
• Language
• Academic Integrity
• Assessment

See the MYP & DP policies