Safeguarding is the highest priority at Victory Heights Primary School – City of Arabia. Every decision, system and policy is designed to ensure that children feel safe, secure and supported at all times.
We operate a whole-school safeguarding culture where every adult understands their responsibility to protect and promote the welfare of children.
Leadership & Accountability
Safeguarding at Victory Heights Primary School – City of Arabia is led by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring clear oversight and accountability at the highest level of the school.
Ben Rothwell, Principal, serves as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), with overall responsibility for safeguarding and child protection.
Rob McCall, Deputy Head, is Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), providing operational support and day-to-day oversight.
The safeguarding team is further strengthened by Michelle Choytooa, Director of Inclusion, and Hayley Stewart, Head of Wellbeing, ensuring a coordinated approach across pastoral care, inclusion and student support.
All members of the safeguarding team are appropriately trained and work in line with UAE regulations and international safeguarding best practice.
Safeguarding at City of Arabia is built on vigilance, clarity and care. Our responsibility is to ensure that every child feels safe, respected and confident in seeking support when needed.
Clear systems, regular training and strong communication underpin our approach, ensuring safeguarding is embedded in everyday school life — not treated as a separate process.
Staff Training & Recruitment
All safeguarding leaders at Victory Heights Primary School – City of Arabia receive specialist training and accreditation through The Safeguarding Alliance, ensuring our approach reflects current international best practice.
Safeguarding training is not a one-time event. Staff receive regular updates, refresher training and scenario-based professional development so that they remain vigilant, informed and confident in responding to concerns.
This structured approach ensures that safeguarding is embedded in daily practice, not treated as a procedural requirement.
Reporting & Response
We maintain clear reporting systems to ensure concerns are addressed promptly and appropriately. Where necessary, we work in partnership with parents and external agencies to ensure children receive the support they need.
Online Safety & Digital Protection
Online safety is embedded throughout the curriculum and supported by robust filtering and monitoring systems. Children are taught to navigate the digital world responsibly, and families are supported through workshops and guidance.
Anti-Bullying & Culture
We promote a culture of respect, kindness and accountability. Any concerns relating to peer behaviour are addressed swiftly, consistently and in line with our behaviour and anti-bullying policies.
Parent Partnership
Safeguarding is most effective when school and home work together. We encourage parents to communicate concerns openly and to engage with school guidance regarding online safety, wellbeing and child protection.
Policies and Documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
Safeguarding refers to the broader systems and culture that protect children from harm and promote their welfare. Child protection is a specific part of safeguarding that relates to responding to concerns about abuse or neglect. At Victory Heights, safeguarding encompasses prevention, early identification and appropriate response.
If you have any concern about a child’s safety or wellbeing, however small it may seem, you should contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead without delay. Concerns are handled sensitively, confidentially and in accordance with our safeguarding procedures.
All safeguarding concerns are recorded using secure systems and reviewed by the safeguarding leadership team. Patterns are monitored carefully to ensure early identification and appropriate intervention. Where necessary, we work collaboratively with families and relevant external agencies.
All staff receive regular safeguarding training, including recognising signs of concern, reporting procedures and online safety. Our safeguarding leaders receive specialist accreditation through The Safeguarding Alliance, ensuring our practice reflects current international standards.
Victory Heights Primary School – City of Arabia follows rigorous safer recruitment procedures designed to protect children at every stage of the hiring process. All staff undergo comprehensive background checks, reference verification and compliance screening in line with UAE regulations and recognised international safeguarding standards.
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed using safeguarding-focused questions, and safeguarding responsibilities are made explicit from the outset. We believe that safeguarding begins before a member of staff ever enters the classroom.
Victory Heights Primary School – City of Arabia is a member of the British International Schools Safeguarding Coalition. This coalition brings together British international schools committed to strengthening safeguarding practice through shared standards, training and professional collaboration.
Membership reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and alignment with recognised safeguarding expectations within the British international education sector.
If You Have a Safeguarding Concern
If you have any safeguarding concern, however small it may seem, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead directly. All concerns are treated seriously, sensitively and in line with our safeguarding procedures.