Summer 2025 - DSL Cover / Availability

We know that the summer is a great time to enjoy time as a a family and with friends. However, sometimes families need to contact the school or a designated safeguarding lead to ask important questions, or share important updates about their child. 

Therefore, you can contact a DSL on the week's below:

The mobile phone numbers are available underneath the photos of the DSLs below. 

Designated Safeguarding Leaders (DSL)

You can contact a DSL by using the school's phone number, during normal opening hours (8:15am-4:30pm). Alternatively, you can send an email to Kate Thompson (Pastoral Manager) and we will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible. 

If you require a DSL during school holidays and out of term time, then you should send an email to the address above and include 'URGENT' in the subject line. Please note, that it may not be possible to respond on the same day. You can also call one of the DSLs on the phone numbers provided below and we will be able to assist. 

Kate Thompson Pastoral Manager (Deputy DSL)	Lucy Guppy Head of School (Lead DSL)	Lauren Orchard Assistant Headteacher (Deputy DSL)	Gary Coffey Executive Headteacher (Deputy DSL)	Sarah Jobson Assistant Headteacher (Deputy DSL)
07899 080658	07738 103857	07730 208125	07875 740897	07849 646734

The Federation of Cherry Oak and Victoria School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils/students.

We believe that:

• All children/young people have the right to be protected from harm, abuse and neglect;
• That every child has the right to an education and children/young people need to be safe and to feel safe in school;
• Children/young people need support that matches their individual needs, including those who may have experienced abuse;
• All children/young people have the right to express their views, feelings and wishes and voice their own values and beliefs;
• All children/young people must be encouraged to respect each other’s values and support each other;
• All children/young people have the right to be supported to meet their emotional, and social needs as well as their educational needs – a happy, healthy, sociable child/young person will achieve better educationally;
• Schools must contribute to the prevention of abuse, victimisation, bullying (including homophobic, bi-phobic, trans-phobic and cyber-bullying), exploitation, extreme behaviours, discriminatory views and risk taking behaviours; and
• All staff and visitors have an important role to play in safeguarding children and protecting them from abuse.

If you would like to read our full policy, please see our Policies page .

Keeping Children Safe Is Everybody’s Business

The Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP) has launched a public awareness campaign ‘Keeping Children Safe is Everybody’s Business’.

The aim is to raise community awareness of what to do if you are worried about a child and most importantly to encourage members of the public to call Birmingham City Council’s Children’s Advice & Support Service to report their concerns, so action can be taken to safeguard and protect the child.

If you are interested in knowing more about this campaign please visit the BSCB website

Birmingham Children with Disabilities Safeguarding Teams

Birmingham Children's Trust have published a useful document that answers some of the most frequently asked questions of the service and the support that the team can offer. 

The documents below cover:

• Who are we
• Role and remit
• how you can help
• Advice and support numbers

You may find this useful to refer to throughout the year, or if your current circumstances change for any reason. 

Please make contact with the school's Pastoral Team for more support with this, or with any questions that you may have. 

Sexualised Behaviour & Harmful Sexualised Behaviour

Information for families

It’s important for everyone to understand what healthy sexual development looks like in children as they grow.

Children’s sexual development is shaped by their environment, experiences and what they see. Children are now more likely to see or come across sexual images and videos at a younger age than their parents would have done. This can be through films, music videos or online.

We've created a helpful presentation for families to read through, which explains more information about this topic and provides useful contact information and reference documents that may support you to consider this more closely. 

As always, please contact a Designated Safeguarding Lead in school if you want to discuss this in more detail.