Commitment, Vision, Values...

Our Commitment

Harris Science Academy East London is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children, staff, and visitors. We prioritise creating a safe, secure, and respectful environment for everyone within our academy. This environment actively promotes the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.

Our Vision

We at Harris Science Academy East London are dedicated to fostering a child-centred approach to safeguarding. This ensures that the individual rights and needs of every child are central to our decision-making and actions. We achieve this by:

• Promoting a culture of care and well-being: We cultivate a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment that fosters the social, moral, spiritual, cultural, and physical development of all our students. This environment encourages open communication, empowering individuals to confidently share concerns about their own well-being or that of others.
• Empowering individuals with knowledge: We provide regular training and resources to all staff and volunteers. This training equips them with the knowledge and skills to identify potential safeguarding concerns, respond sensitively, and report them appropriately. The LDT curriculum complements this by providing students with the same knowledge base, fostering a shared understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.
• Prioritising robust procedures: We maintain clear and up-to-date policies and procedures aligned with current legislation and best practice. This includes rigorous recruitment practices and vetting procedures to ensure the safety of everyone within our care.
• Building positive relationships: We believe in establishing strong, trusting relationships with all our students, staff, and families. We collaborate effectively with external agencies to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive approach to safeguarding.

Our Values

We uphold the following core values, which are intrinsically linked to a strong safeguarding culture:

• Growth: We believe every individual has the potential to thrive in a safe and supportive environment. This includes fostering a growth mindset in safeguarding, where we continuously learn and improve our practices to better protect everyone.
• Responsibility: We empower all members of our community to take responsibility for their own well-being and the safety of others. This includes creating a culture where reporting concerns is encouraged and supported.
• Ambition: We foster a culture where everyone feels safe to take risks and challenge themselves, knowing they will be supported if they encounter difficulties. This safe environment reduces vulnerability to exploitation or abuse.
• Compassion: We cultivate a sense of empathy and understanding for everyone within our academy. This allows us to identify individuals who may be at risk and provide them with the support they need.
• Excellence: We strive for excellence in safeguarding practice. This involves ongoing training, robust procedures, and a commitment to continuous improvement to ensure the highest level of protection for all.

Continuous Improvement

We recognise the importance of continuous improvement in safeguarding practice. We will regularly review our policies, procedures, and training to ensure they remain effective in a changing environment.

We are committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone within Harris Science Academy East London.

Testimonials (Summer 2024)

93% of students agree that “I feel safe when I am at school”.

“My tutor is always the first person I talk to if I have a problem or worry. They always listen to me and help me to resolve the problem or share it with my Head of Year if they can’t fix it.” HSAEL student

94% of parents report that “my child feels safe at this school”. 

"Safety is a main strength of the academy". HSAEL parent

100% of Staff believe “pupils are safe at this school”.

"The CPD sessions are well led and help improve my pedagogy and safeguarding knowledge." HSAEL staff member