{"id":6320,"date":"2018-10-16T17:16:42","date_gmt":"2018-10-16T16:16:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/school.chethams.com\/?page_id=6320"},"modified":"2026-07-06T10:09:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T09:09:26","slug":"safeguarding","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chethamsschoolofmusic.com\/about\/safeguarding\/","title":{"rendered":"Safeguarding"},"content":{"rendered":"

Report a safeguarding concern<\/h3>\n

You can report any safeguarding concerns, no matter how small, to: DSL@chethams.com <\/p>\n

Our Safeguarding Champions will always be on duty to respond to a safeguarding concern. <\/p>\n

Safeguarding at Chetham’s<\/h3>\n

Safeguarding is everyone\u2019s responsibility at Chetham\u2019s. <\/p>\n

We want children to be free from harm, free from the risk of harm and feel safe and happy while at School. <\/p>\n

We have a dedicated team of Safeguarding Champions who lead on safeguarding matters and follow these principles: <\/p>\n

– We provide a positive atmosphere across all aspects of School.
\n– We follow agreed procedures and respond sensitively and swiftly to safeguarding concerns.
\n– We offer support for students and for staff.<\/p>\n

“Pupils have a good understanding of how to stay safe. They appreciate the importance of the constant safeguarding reminders delivered from staff, and know what to do in an emergency situation both within School, or if away from the School. They understand the importance of e-safety and the dangers of social media, and to know to whom they can turn should they experience difficulties or have concerns.” – ISI Inspection 2020<\/p>\n

“Arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils that pay due attention to current statutory guidance.” – ISI Inspection 2020<\/p>\n

“Students feel safe, happy and cared for” – ISI Inspection 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Independent review<\/h3>\n

We commissioned the Safeguarding and Child Protection Association (SACPA) to conduct an independent audit of our safeguarding practices, and a review took place in May 2026. The audit found that safeguarding at Chetham\u2019s is strong, well led and embedded across the school community. Read the full report here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Meet the Team<\/h3>\n

Andrea Price \u2014 Designated Safeguarding Lead<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Andrea Price, Safeguarding Lead<\/p><\/div>\n

Andrea is Assistant Principal and Head of Lower School, as well as our Designated Safeguarding Lead. Her job is to make sure child protection procedures are followed by all members of staff and all concerns are investigated properly and the correct support is given. <\/p>\n

Julia Harrison \u2014 Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Julia

Julia Harrison, Assistant Principal<\/p><\/div>\n

Julia is one of our Assistant Principals. She is our Designated Mental Health Lead and is primarily responsible for wellbeing in School. Her input on complex matters and training for the pastoral team help ensure that the right care and support is put in place for our students.<\/p>\n

Ian Mayer \u2014 Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Ian Mayer, Music Manager<\/p><\/div>\n

Ian is one of our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads and our Music Manager. His role is to look at our policies and procedures in relation to music provision and the unique setting that we have as the largest specialist music School in the country. He also advises our tutors and visiting artists on their roles and responsibilities with safeguarding.<\/p>\n

Joshua O’Brien \u2014 Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Joshua O’Brien, Head of New College House<\/p><\/div>\n

Joshua is one of our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads and is the Head of New College House. Joshua works closely with the wider DSL team as well as pastoral and academic staff to ensure the wellbeing and development of our students. Joshua contributes to the care and support of all students via the collaborative creation and implementation of support plans and structures which aim to give our students the best possible outcomes.<\/p>\n

Sarah Dickinson \u2014 Lead Nurse<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Sarah Dickinson, Lead Nurse<\/p><\/div>\n

As the Lead Nurse of the Medical Centre at Chetham’s, Sarah is dedicated to safeguarding the health and well-being of our whole student community. With a strong clinical background and a compassionate approach to care, Sarah oversees the delivery of high-quality nursing care and support, ensuring that each student receives attentive, personalised treatment in a safe and nurturing environment. She works very closely with the wider Safeguarding and Pastoral Teams to ensure a combined approach that supports our students physical and mental health. <\/p>\n

Nigel Shepherd \u2014 Nominated Safeguarding Governor<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Nigel

Nigel Shepherd, Governor, Chetham’s School of Music<\/p><\/div>\n

Nigel is Chetham\u2019s Nominated Safeguarding Governor, as well as a former solicitor of some 40 years\u2019 experience, specialising in family law work. Throughout his long career Nigel has been committed to helping those experiencing family breakdown to find an agreed, constructive solution to the issues they face with a particular focus on how avoiding conflict benefits children. He is a Life Member and twice former national Chair of family justice organisation, Resolution, and was a leading voice in the 30-year campaign for no fault divorce which was finally introduced in 2022.<\/p>\n

Nicola Smith \u2014 Joint Principal<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Nicola Smith, Joint Principal<\/p><\/div>\n

Nicola, as Joint Principal, leads the pastoral, wellbeing, academic and safeguarding staff within the School. She remains trained to DSL level. Nicola has worked at the forefront of safeguarding in her School Leadership roles over many years and brings her knowledge and experience to support the Safeguarding Team in their roles. <\/p>\n

Concerned about a child?<\/h3>\n

If you have a concern about one or more of our students, you can report this in the following ways:<\/p>\n