Safeguarding

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility.

At The Stonebridge School, keeping children safe is our highest priority. We take a whole-school, child-centred approach and want every child to feel safe, listened to and confident that they can speak to a trusted adult.

We work with children, families, Brent Council and other agencies to identify concerns early and ensure children receive the right help at the right time.

Our Safeguarding Team

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Preesha Lachani (Deputy Headteacher)

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs)
Kate Pelazza (Headteacher)
Nasreen Iqbal (SENDCo)
Tracy Halpin (Pastoral Lead)

Safeguarding Link Governor
Tara Furlong (Chair of Governors)

Worried about a child?

If you are concerned about a child's safety or wellbeing, please speak to a member of our Safeguarding Team or contact the School Office.

You can also contact Brent Local Authority:

Brent Family Front Door
020 8937 4300 (option 1)
Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm

Emergency Duty Team
020 8863 5250
Outside normal office hours

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

Our approach to safeguarding

Safeguarding includes protecting children from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm, both in person and online.

Our work includes:

- child protection and early help
- child-on-child abuse and bullying
- domestic abuse and exploitation
- mental health and wellbeing
- attendance and children missing education
- Prevent, radicalisation, FGM and forced marriage
- safer recruitment and concerns about adults
- online safety, filtering and monitoring

We recognise that children may not always be able or ready to tell someone that something is wrong. Staff are trained to recognise concerns, listen to children and take appropriate action.

Online safety and AI

Online safety is an important part of safeguarding at our school. We teach children to use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully, including when using social media, gaming, online communication and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).

We help children understand risks including inappropriate content, online abuse, privacy and personal information, misinformation, and manipulated or AI-generated content.

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 (KCSIE), appropriate filtering and monitoring arrangements are in place on our school systems and are reviewed regularly.

Our Online Safety Policy is available to view here.

Useful links for families:

Brent Council – Safeguarding Children
London Grid for Learning (LGfL) – Online Safety
UK Safer Internet Centre
Childnet – Parents and Carers
CEOP Education

Concerns about an adult

Concerns or allegations about a member of staff, volunteer or other adult working with children should be reported to the Headteacher, Kate Pelazza.

Where appropriate, concerns will be referred to Brent's Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

If a concern relates to the Headteacher, it should be reported to the Chair of Governors, Tara Furlong.

Working together

All staff receive regular safeguarding training and know how to recognise, record and report concerns.

We work in partnership with parents and carers and share information with other agencies where necessary to safeguard children.

Our safeguarding arrangements reflect current statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education, Working Together to Safeguard Children, the Prevent duty and Brent safeguarding procedures.

Further information

The Stonebridge School Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
The Stonebridge School Online Safety Policy
Keeping Children Safe in Education
Working Together to Safeguard Children
Brent Council – Safeguarding Children
Brent Council – LADO
Brent Council – Prevent