Safeguarding in the Curriculum
Safeguarding in the Curriculum at Overchurch Junior School
At Overchurch Junior School, safeguarding is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our pupils and recognise the vital role our curriculum plays in equipping children with the knowledge and skills to stay safe in a diverse and ever-changing world.
Our broad, balanced and engaging curriculum provides meaningful opportunities for children to learn about personal safety and welfare in a wide range of contexts. We place great importance on enabling our pupils to explore safeguarding themes in age-appropriate ways that support their personal development, behaviour, and well-being.
Safeguarding education is woven through our PSHE curriculum, which covers all areas of safeguarding in a sensitive and inclusive manner. We understand that some subjects require a personalised approach, and we adapt our teaching to meet the individual needs of pupils - whether through whole class teaching, small groups, or one-to-one sessions where needed.
At Overchurch, we encourage children to think deeply about safeguarding and their own physical and mental health. We actively create space for pupil voice - welcoming questions, ideas, and concerns, and supporting children to develop confidence in sharing their views.
PSHE at OJS
Through our aspirational and enriching curriculum, pupils explore their personal rights, responsibilities, and values. This supports the development of moral understanding, promotes British values, and helps to prevent radicalisation and extremism. Safeguarding is not confined to one subject - it is addressed throughout the curriculum and across all areas of school life.
Examples of practical safeguarding learning include:
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Road safety, including Bikeability training and lessons within the PSHE ‘Managing Risks’ unit
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Water safety, taught during swimming lessons and reinforced through the PSHE curriculum
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Fire awareness, including visits from the local fire service and sessions from the PSHE ‘What Keeps Us Safe’ unit
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Visits from professionals, such as NHS staff, police officers, and other community services
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Sessions with charities, including Barnardo’s and the NSPCC, who deliver assemblies and in-class workshops
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Transition support, working closely with local infant and secondary schools to ensure a safe and smooth move to Year 3 and Year 7 respectively
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Online safety, taught explicitly through our e-safety curriculum and reinforced through digital citizenship lessons
Our school fosters an open and respectful learning environment, underpinned by our core values, where pupils feel safe to express themselves, ask for help, and support one another. We are proud to promote equality of opportunity and celebrate diversity within our school community, actively challenging all forms of discrimination.
Our behaviour policy supports a zero-tolerance approach to prejudice and encourages positive behaviour, decision-making, and mutual respect. Lessons and classroom discussions provide opportunities to reinforce these expectations, build empathy, and explore real-world issues.
Assemblies and PSHE sessions are also key platforms where safeguarding themes are explored regularly. Pupils learn about British values and how they relate to our multi-faith, multicultural society. Staff and pupils alike are committed to challenging stereotypes and inappropriate language both in and out of the classroom.
Throughout the curriculum, we actively promote respect for all individuals - regardless of faith, race, gender, disability, age, or sexual orientation. These principles are reinforced through the words, actions, and attitudes we model each day.
At the start of every academic year, we dedicate time to reaffirm our school’s values, expectations, and commitment to safeguarding, ensuring that every pupil feels safe, valued, and ready to thrive.
