Amani was given a rocky piece of wasteland by the Kenyan authorities .. and they have turned it into an abundant garden. Karambu was excited to see Trefoil’s approach to sustainability, particularly the way we work with our pigs.  It seems there is also much we can learn from Amani.

Karambu taught the children a Kiswahili song about peace – and then enjoyed the Trefoil rendition of  ‘There’s a hole in my bucket’

This is a heart-warming and poignant video about her project.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhvO3EtVuZw&feature=related

We hope that there will be more exchange with them in future .. several of the Trefoil children said they would be interested in having Kenyan penfriends.

This is Karambu’s Facebook Group page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Peace-Initiatives/153050214728228

and here’s the website:

http://www.ipeacei.org/about/about-ipi/karambu-ringera.html

For children aged 6-16

Ashwood Farm
West Hoathly Road
East Grinstead
West Sussex
RH19 4ND
Email: p.vickerman@btinternet.com

Ofsted reg. No: EY397513

Please RSVP p.vickerman@btinternet.com  01342 316129

Saturday 7 May 2011 11am – 2pm

Pluto class exploring the camping woods and playing a camoflage game at Ashwood Farm Feb 2010

Phenolgy lessons with Caz Greenwood involve outdoor explorations and observations, we are currentlywatching out and noting any signs of spring

Building an igloo is on the revised curriculum today…..

After lunch-time farm duties, a bit of sledging before lessons…….

2 If the issue is of a sensitive nature or you have been unable to resolve the issue with the staff member, please telephone or ask to speak directly to the school principal, Wendy Vickerman.

3 If you feel that it is of a serious nature, please put your concerns in writing and send it to Wendy Vickerman Trefoil Montessori Farm School Ashwood Farm West Hoathly Road East Grinstead West Sussex RH19 4ND Or alternatively to : Trustees of Trefoil Montessori Mike Prior and Alban Brindle.

4 A meeting will be arranged within 7 days of the letter being received.

5 There will be a panel of 3 independent people1 from the community, one Staff member and member of the Trustees and a member of the partnership.

6 The parents can be accompanied to the hearing if they should so wish. They will be given 3 days notice.

7 At all times the parents and staff will deal calmly and objectively to enable workable recommendations to be found.

8 In the event of finding and recommendations concerning a member of staff, a copy of these findings will be sent to the staff member concerned, the complainant the proprietor and the head teacher within 7 days.

9 Records will be kept of all complaints and outcomes.

10 All correspondence, statements and records will be kept in a confidential file, but these will be shown to HMI / ISI when inspections are made.

11 Copies can also be made to social services and Ofsted on request.

12 If the findings involve question as to the safe contact with children, these files will automatically be sent to HMI / ISI.

13 If you still feel your concerns have not been dealt with to your satisfaction, you can contact DfES on 0870 0012345. Dfes Mowden Hall Staindrop road Darlington DL3 9BG Tel: 0870 0012345

NOTICE OF INCIDENT

If there is an an incident of an abusive nature, or inappropriate nature to any of the staff or children at the school, then the same time scale will appley.

1. The staff member will complete an incident form, and any witnesses need to complete a form also.

2. If a parent or a child is acting inappropriately, then we reserve the right to cancel your child’s place at short notice.

A copy of our full complaints procedure can be found Health and Safety File. Updated 12th November 2009

1. All members of staff and volunteers at Trefoil need to have an enhanced CRB disclosure.
2. Contact details: Criminal Records Bureau
PO Box 91
Liverpool
L69 2UH
3. Helpline: 0870 90 90 811
www.crb.gov.uk
4. Lists of organisations who can undertake CRB checks:
www.disclosure.gov.uk

Children’s Rights

Trefoil Montessori recognises that children have the right to be safe, secure and free from threat.

At Trefoil the welfare of the child is paramount, and will provide an environment that ensures that children are safe from potential abuse, and will respond to any suspicion of potential abuse in a way that respects the child’s dignity and reinforces the adult’s responsibility to the child.

Statement of Principals

Trefoil Montessori will:
· Treat children as individuals entitled to dignity and respect.
· Promote effective partnerships amongst all those involved with children, including children’s parents or carers, to improve children’s welfare.
· Promote the safety of children.
· Raise awareness of best practice in how to protect children from harm of all kinds.
· Minimise risks to children so that they do not suffer harm.
· Make safety the responsibility of each member of staff at Trefoil, whose work brings them into contact with children.
· Establish effective and open procedures in responding to accidents, complaints or concerns so that they can be shared and dealt with promptly.
· Adapt safe recruitment practices for all staff and volunteers.

Recruitment Practices

· At Trefoil we ensure that all adults working with the children ( Voluntary or otherwise) undergo a Criminal Records Check.
· All new projects undertaken by Trefoil consider issues relating to child protection and ensure that training is given to all adults involved. This will help individuals to recognise and respond to suspected abuse, being either physical, emotional, sexual or as a result of neglect.
· It is important that CRB checked staff does not take non-checked people with them to places where they will be left unattended with children or vulnerable young adults.
· At Trefoil we never allow an adult who is not CRB checked to be alone with a child for example by going to the toilet or supervising children in a separate room.

Reporting Concerns

All staff at Trefoil are required to promptly pass on any concerns about possible child abuse or concerns about the welfare and safety of a child to the designated person for child protection.

At Trefoil the designated persons are Wendy Vickerman and Rozanna Roberts.

Rozanna Roberts and Wendy Vickerman will then make a judgement as to whether the allegation or concern need to be passed on to the authorities, or to be discussed with the parents/carers first. If staff receive allegations against another member of staff or volunteer, they should promptly inform Wendy or Lisa.

It is essential that the staff member or volunteer records what they have seen or heard that has led them to believe that the child’s welfare is at risk. The designated person needs to make sure that clear and concise records are kept. This will be kept with the health and safety file in an incident book. All of actions taken need to be recorded.

Staff or volunteers should bear in mind that it is NOT their job to investigate an allegation.

Supervision of Children’s activities

The staff at Trefoil recognises that the safety of children is paramount at all times when:
· Planning playground activities.
· Ensuring correct staff ratio in and outside of the classroom.
· When planning school trips and sports activities.
· Clarifying the responsibilities of the adults and make sure they work in pairs.

Staff protocol and self-management

· At Trefoil the staff always ensure that they do not engage in behaviour that could be misinterpreted by the children.
· Staff need to be aware of the ground rules of the school and discipline policy, so ensuring at all times that they adhere to them accordingly, so insuring no hypocrisy.
· Staff are open at all times with the children, so that they feel comfortable disclosing any worries and concerns they may have, at home or at school.
· Staff at Trefoil needs to endeavour to avoid situations where a child is completely unobserved.
· Do not spend excessive times alone with a child.
· Not take children alone on a car journey unless it would be life threatening not to do so.
· Take children home without the parents signed authority.
· Staff at Trefoil ensures never to engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games including horseplay.
· Never engage in inappropriate touching.
· Staff at Trefoil never allows children to use inappropriate language unchallenged.
· Staff will never make sexually suggestive comments to a child even in fun.
· Staff will never allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon.
· Do things of a personal nature for a child that they can do themselves.
· If a member of staff or volunteer should accidentally hurt a child, or if a child seems distressed in any manner or misunderstands or misinterprets something a member of staff or volunteer has done, then the incidents should be reported as soon as possible to another colleague and a brief written note made. Parents or carers should then be informed of the incident.

The Principal of Trefoil and the management committee is specifically responsible for ensuring that the child protection is accorded the necessary status within the organisation, by making sure all staff members and volunteers have a copy of this policy and ensure it is followed.

Contact details:
Mrs Wendy Vickerman
Trefoil Montessori Farm School
Ashwood Farm
West Hoathly Road,
East Grinstead,
West Sussex
RH19 4ND Tel: 01342 316129 email p.vickerman@btinternet.com

Signed: …………………………………………… Date: ………………………..

Witness: ……………………………………………. Date: ……………………….