Parents & Carers
We believe that everyone has a personal best and that we play a vital role in making this a reality. All pupils will be given opportunities and support to reach their potential, achieve well and succeed in life beyond school. At Silver Birch School, we inspire every learner to embrace their potential, pursue meaningful pathways, and grow into confident, capable individuals ready to shape their future.
Our School Motto
Our aim is for pupils to develop a joy of learning, and our school motto reflects this, having been inspired by other inspirational professionals who share mutual aims in respect of education.
At Silver Birch School, we draw inspiration from the silver birch tree—an emblem of strength, adaptability, and rejuvenation. Just as this tree thrives in diverse environments, our school is dedicated to fostering an educational ecosystem where every student can flourish.
At all Key Stages, our curriculum is structured to help pupils to secure success:
- academically,
- personally and developmentally, and
- in life beyond school.
First Aid, Health and Medical Needs
Our school has a medical room and provides safe storage of medication. As part of staff induction, most staff complete a Basic First Aid Training course and a three yearly refresher course. Individualised Risk Assessments will be produced, agreed with parents and carers, and implemented for pupils. Nominated staff are trained to administer prescribed medication. All medication is recorded and kept in a locked medical cabinet. For further information, please see our Safe Administration of Medication Policy.
Health and Safety
Health and Safety is coordinated by the Head Teacher. All staff complete Health and Safety awareness training, including safe systems of working, fire, infection control. The Site Manager and maintenance staff complete comprehensive internal and external health and safety checks across the whole school site conducts regular audits of all aspects of Health and Safety throughout the school year.
Risk Management
We have rigorous procedures to ensure everyone’s safety, including using a range of risk assessments to help staff identify and minimise risks in all curriculum activities and the environment. Risk Assessments are completed when required and reviewed, authorised and signed off by the Head Teacher. The school premises have a range of plans in place, including a full Fire Risk Assessment which is reviewed annually with fire services.
Anti-Bullying
Everyone in our school community is entitled to feel valued, safe and protected from harm, including bullying. Our staff team work hard with pupils to ensure they are proud of contributing to the warm, caring atmosphere in school.
The pupil and staff community come from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. Pupils have a range of needs, difficulties, and diagnoses. All of these attributes bring opportunities for us to raise awareness about difference, promote tolerance and understanding, address misconceptions and prejudices, and challenge discrimination. Our curriculum teaches and promotes British Values of tolerance, respect, equality and diversity and bullying is responded to immediately by staff.
Our school is a ‘telling school’, where pupils, parents, carers, and staff are encouraged to raise any concerns. Bullying will not be tolerated in our school. We are sensitive and proactive with tackling bullying when it occurs.
Please see our Anti-Bullying Policy, which we promote through our ethos, conduct, culture, and curriculum.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Our school is committed to safeguarding pupils’ welfare, health and safety at all times. To support this, we follow national guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE). We have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) who are trained to the highest levels, and lead on safeguarding across the school, liaising with the local area designated officer (LADO) as required. All staff complete training in safeguarding and child protection, which is refreshed annually.
We work closely with partner agencies to help keep pupils safe and well. All staff are aware of how to respond to concerns. Where we suspect that a child has been abused or neglected, we have a statutory duty to make a referral to relevant agencies. Where local procedures allow, we will inform the parents/carers of the referral, depending on the nature of the concern. We will share any information relevant to the referral with those agencies and will contribute to any assessments needed.
If a pupil, parent, carer, or staff member have any concerns, however small, about a child’s welfare or safety, they should share this with us, and we will follow the correct procedures in a sensitive manner. Information shared could help protect a child from harm or save a life. Please refer to our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy for more information. This is available on our website and also from the school office, upon request.
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Life Choices
We support pupils to understand the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle and making positive life choices.
From arrival at school, pupils can enjoy a healthy breakfast and socialise safely with peers and staff, setting a positive tone for the day. Throughout the school day, our staff and curriculum encourage pupils to explore the impact of lifestyle decisions — helping them make healthier choices both now and in their future lives.
Our school lunches offer a range of nutritious options and opportunities to try foods from around the world. Staff often link these experiences to cultural and religious festivals, encouraging pupils to explore new experiences and broaden their understanding of global cultures.