PGCE Safeguarding in Schools 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'e-safety' and how does it differ from broader online safety?
- E-safety specifically addresses risks from electronic communication and technology use — broadly overlapping with online safety but historically focused on school-based technology (Correct answer)
- They are completely separate fields with no overlap
- E-safety only covers email use
- Online safety is broader; e-safety only covers primary-age pupils
Correct answer: E-safety specifically addresses risks from electronic communication and technology use — broadly overlapping with online safety but historically focused on school-based technology
E-safety and online safety are largely synonymous in modern usage, both covering risks from technology and internet use — the term 'e-safety' is an older term increasingly replaced by 'online safety'.
Question 2: What are 'Adverse Childhood Experiences' (ACEs) and why are they relevant for teachers?
- Stressful or traumatic events in childhood (e.g., abuse, domestic violence, parental substance misuse) that have lasting impacts on health and behaviour (Correct answer)
- Medical diagnoses only relevant to healthcare
- Academic difficulties caused by poor teaching
- Behaviour problems caused by school environments only
Correct answer: Stressful or traumatic events in childhood (e.g., abuse, domestic violence, parental substance misuse) that have lasting impacts on health and behaviour
ACEs research shows that childhood trauma has lasting physiological and psychological impacts — understanding ACEs helps teachers respond to challenging behaviour with empathy and appropriate support rather than purely punitive measures.
Question 3: What is 'contextual safeguarding' and why is it relevant in secondary schools in particular?
- Recognising that harm can occur in peer relationships, community settings, and online contexts beyond the family — particularly relevant for adolescents (Correct answer)
- Only relevant in primary schools
- A replacement for child protection procedures
- A framework that only applies to excluded pupils
Correct answer: Recognising that harm can occur in peer relationships, community settings, and online contexts beyond the family — particularly relevant for adolescents
Contextual safeguarding is especially relevant for secondary pupils because adolescents spend more time in peer and community contexts where exploitation, county lines, and CSE may occur.
Question 4: Under KCSIE, what must all staff do regarding safeguarding training?
- Receive regular safeguarding training and updates, with all new staff trained before or at induction (Correct answer)
- Only the DSL requires safeguarding training
- Training is only required for senior staff
- Staff need only read the policy, no training is required
Correct answer: Receive regular safeguarding training and updates, with all new staff trained before or at induction
KCSIE requires all staff to receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection training at induction and regular updates (at least annually through briefings, emails, or bulletins).
Question 5: What is the 'golden thread' of safeguarding in schools?
- The consistent application of safeguarding principles across all aspects of school life — culture, policy, training, recording, and referral (Correct answer)
- A colour-coded filing system for safeguarding records
- A DfE inspection framework
- A target for reducing safeguarding referrals
Correct answer: The consistent application of safeguarding principles across all aspects of school life — culture, policy, training, recording, and referral
The 'golden thread' refers to safeguarding running through all aspects of school operation — not a standalone policy but embedded in culture, teaching, pastoral systems, and every interaction.
Question 6: What does KCSIE say about mobile phones and personal devices for school staff?
- Schools must have clear policies on staff use of personal mobile phones and devices around pupils to maintain professional boundaries and safeguarding standards (Correct answer)
- Teachers can use personal phones freely with pupils at all times
- Mobile phones are not covered by safeguarding guidance
- Only senior staff need to comply with phone policies
Correct answer: Schools must have clear policies on staff use of personal mobile phones and devices around pupils to maintain professional boundaries and safeguarding standards
KCSIE highlights the risks of staff using personal devices around pupils — schools must have clear policies governing mobile phone use to protect both pupils and staff from allegations.
PGCE Safeguarding in Schools 2
What is 'e-safety' and how does it differ from broader online safety?